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COPYRIGHT DEPOSfT. 



THE WORD OF GOD 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

K3EW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS 
ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. 

TORONTO 



JUL 20 7! 



THE WORD OF GOD 



A series of short meditations on the Sunday Gospels 

published in Rome by "The Society of Saint 

Jerome for the Diffusion of the Gospel/' 



Monsignor Francis Borgongini-Duca 

SECRETARY OF THE SACRED PENITENTIARY TRIBUNAL 

PROFESSOR OF DOGMATIC THEOLOGY IN THE PROPAGANDA UNIVERSITY 

SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR OF THE VATICAN SEMINARY 



Translation by 
Rev. FRANCIS J. SPELLMAN 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 
1921 

All rights reserved 



#1 



^ 6 



Copyright, 1921, 
By THE MACMILLAN COMPANY. 



Set up and electrotyped. Published July, 1921, 



• « « 

• « 

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Printed in the United States of America. 



©CU622094 



PATRICK J. WATERS, Ph.D. 



Censor Librorum. 



Smpttmatur* 

•fr WILLIAM CARDINAL O'CONNELL 

Archbishop of Boston. 



February 5, 1921. 



PREFACE 

These explanations of the Holy Gospel were 
first edited in weekly pamphlets which were pub- 
lished in Rome by "The Society of Saint Jerome for 
the Diffusion of the Gospel." They appeared from 
the first Sunday of Lent, 19 19, until Quinquages- 
ima Sunday, 1920. They were then put forth in 
book form under the title of "The Word of God/' 

One hundred and twenty thousand copies of this 
series of short sermons have already been published, 
and it is hoped that this English translation of them 
does not fall too far short in expressing the unction, 
the simplicity and the beauty of the original Italian. 

It will be observed that the Gospel of a proximate 
feast day is occasionally substituted for the Gospel 
of the Sunday, as, for example, on the Fourteenth 
Sunday after Pentecost, the Gospel considered is that 
of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. 
It may also be noted that on four of the Sundays 
during Lent, the Gospel proposed for meditation is 
not the Gospel of the Sunday, but one from a ferial 
Mass of the same week. 

Grateful acknowledgment of helpful suggestions 
is made to Rev. Louis F. Kelleher, D. D., of Saint 
John's Ecclesiastical Seminary, Brighton, Mass. ; 
Reverend Laurence B. Killian, S. T. L., of St. Cath- 
erine's Church, Summerville, Mass.; and Rev. 
Henry A. McGarvey, S. J., of Boston College. 

The Translator. 



INTRODUCTION 

"It gives me great pleasure to learn of the trans- 
lation from Italian into English, of the volume of 
short meditations on the Gospels for every Sunday 
of the year, written by Monsignor Francis Borgon- 
gini-Duca, professor of dogmatic theology at the 
Propaganda, Rome, and secretary of the Tribunal 
of the Sacred Penitentiary. 

"Knowing the author personally and admiring his 
qualities of mind and heart; his sound learning, his 
rare powers of exposition as a teacher, his priestly 
zeal and earnestness, I feel confident that his book 
will be helpful to many souls in this country." 

John Bonzano, 

Archbishop of Melitene. 
Apostolic Delegate. 

April 30, 1921. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

1. First Sunday of Advent— The Advent 1 

2. Second Sunday of Advent — The Precursor 5 

3. Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin 

Mary 9 

4. Third Sunday of Advent 13 

5. Fourth Sunday of Advent — Expiation of Sin 17 

6. Feast of the Nativity— The Birth of Christ 20 

7. The Feast of the Holy Innocents 23 

8. Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord — Obedience 26 

9. Feast of the Holy Name. . 29 

10. Feast of the Epiphany — The Adoration of the Magi 33 

11. Sunday Within the Octave of the Epiphany — Jesus Among 

the Doctors 37 

12. Second Sunday After Epiphany — The Marriage in Cana. . . 41 

13. Third Sunday After Epiphany — The Centurion of Caphar- 

naum 45 

14. Septuagesima Sunday — The Laborers in the Vineyard. ... 49 

15. Sexagesima Sunday — The Word of God 53 

16. Quinquagesima Sunday — The Blind Man of Jericho. ... 57 

17. First Sunday of Lent— Penance 60 

18. Second Sunday of Lent — The Prodigal Son 64 

19. Feast of St. Joseph 67 

20. Third Sunday of Lent — The Annunciation 71 

21. Fourth Sunday of Lent— The Rich Man 75 

22. Passion Sunday — Jesus Hides Himself 79 

23. Palm Sunday— Holy Thursday 83 

24. Good Friday, Holy Saturday, The Passion 84 

25. Easter Sunday — The Resurrection 88 

26. Low Sunday — Faith. 92 

27. Second Sunday After Easter — The Good Shepherd 96 

28. Third Sunday After Easter— The Value of Suffering. ... 99 

29. Fourth Sunday After Easter — The Mission of the Holy 

Ghost 103 

30. Fifth Sunday After Easter— Prayer 107 

31. Feast of the Ascension 109 

32. Sunday After the Ascension — Persecution 113 

33. Pentecost Sunday 116 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

34. Feast of the Holy Trinity— The Trinity. ........ 120 

35. Feast of Corpus Christi . ._ 122 

36. The Eucharist 123 

37. Sunday After the Feast of Corpus Christi — The Sacred 

Heart 127 

38. Feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul — Saint Peter 

and The Pope 131 

39. Fourth Sunday After Pentecost — The Miraculous Draught 

of Fishes 134 

40. Fifth Sunday After Pentecost— Fraternal Charity 137 

41. Sixth Sunday After Pentecost— The Multiplication of the 

Loaves. 140 

42. Seventh Sunday After Pentecost— The Will of God. ... 143 

43. Eighth Sunday After Pentecost— The Unjust Steward. ... 146 

44. Ninth Sunday After Pentecost— The Expulsion of the 

Tradesmen from the Temple 150 

45. Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin 153 

46. Tenth Sunday After Pentecost— The Pharisee and the 

Publican 157 

47. Eleventh Sunday After Pentecost— The Healing of the 

Deaf Mute 160 

48. Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost— The Good Samaritan. . . 163 

49. Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost— The Ten Lepers. . . 167 

50. Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost— Feast of the Exalta- 

tion of the Holy Cross. . 170 

51. Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost— The Widow of Nairn. . 173 

52. Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost — Humility 176 

53. Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost— The Feast of the 

Solemnity of the Holy Rosary 179 

54. Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost— The Paralytic of 

Capharnaum 133 

55. Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost— The Marriage Feast. 187 

56. Twentieth Sunday After Pentecost— Perseverance in Prayer. 191 

57. Feast of All Saints— The Way to Paradise 194 

58. Twenty-first Sunday After Pentecost— The Faithful De- 

parted 19g 

59. Twenty-second Sunday After Pentecost— The Tribute to 

Caesar 202 

60. Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost— The Daughter of 

J aIrus 205 

61. Twenty-fourth Sunday After Pentecost— The General 

Judgment 208 



FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

During the season of Advent the Church endeavors to pre- 
pare her children for the proper observance of the Feast of the 
Nativity. The penitential character of this time which marks the 
beginning of the liturgical year is indicated by the purple color of 
the sacred vestments. 

THE ADVENT 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: There shall be 
signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars : and upon 
the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of 
the roaring of the sea and of the waves, men withering away 
for fear and expectation of what shall come upon the whole 
world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved ; and then 
they shall see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with 
great power and majesty. But when these things begin to 
come to pass, look up and lift up your heads, because your 
redemption is at hand. And He spoke to them a simili- 
tude: See the fig-tree, and all the trees: when they now 
shoot forth their fruit, you know that summer is nigh; so 
you also, when you shall see these things come to pass, know 
that the kingdom of God is at hand. Amen I say to you, 
this generation shall not pass away, till all things be ful- 
filled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words 
shall not pass away." Luke xxi, 25-33. 

A GLEAM of light penetrated through the 
sombre dusk enshrouding the vesper office 
which the Church enjoined her sacred minis- 
ters to recite yesterday evening. It is the first an- 
nouncement of the coming of the feast of Christ- 



2 THE WORD OF GOD 

mas, — "Behold, God is coming from afar and the 
splendor of His glory shall fill the universe." * Each 
year, this joyous festival, returning, is ever welcome, 
always new. 

Every Christian should be prepared for the birth- 
day of the Saviour. Every soul should be a pure and 
spotless cradle, fragrant with the flowers of virtue, 
to receive the new born King. "Rejoice, O daughter 
of Sion ! Exult, O daughter of Jerusalem ! Behold, 
the Lord comes and all the saints come with Him, 
Alleluia !" 2 

The best preparation for the coming of the 
Christ-child consists in the practice of austere pen- 
ance. Wherefore, the Church reminds us of another 
coming of Jesus, His advent as a Judge at the end 
of the world. The Church would seem to tell us 
through the Gospel of the Mass that He Who is 
about to come to us now as a smiling, loving Infant, 
will come another day to be our Judge. Woe to us, 
therefore, if we do not receive Him now. 

The epistle of the Mass also breathes an extraor- 
dinary eloquence. "It is now the hour for us to rise 
from sleep, for now our salvation is nearer than 
when we believed. The night is passed, and the day 
is at hand. Let us, therefore, cast off the works of 
darkness and put on the armor of light, . . . the Lord 
Jesus Christ." 3 

As the warrior at dawn awakes from sleep, puts 
on his armor and is anxious to try his strength, so 
in the dawn of this Christmas season, every soldier 

^ntiphon to the Magnificat, Divine Office, Saturday before the 
first Sunday of Advent. 

2 Lauds, Divine Office, First Sunday of Advent 
"Romans xiii, 11-14. 



THE WORD OF GOD 3 

of Christ should take up the arms of light and 
struggle against the powers of darkness* The first 
rays of morning are already glowing in the eastern 
sky. Let no one slumber in slothful tepidity, for the 
graces inspiring to a Christian life are entering into 
the souls of all ! 

'Tut ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." * He has 
humbled Himself to become one of us. He has 
assumed our flesh and blood to sacrifice Himself that 
we may live. In order to put on Jesus Christ, it is 
necessary that His love enter into our hearts, and our 
love enter into His heart. Thus we shall resemble 
Him as younger brothers. 

* # # 

One source of comfort and encouragement in this 
battle is the example and the inspiration of the mar- 
tyrs. One of the most illustrious martyrs whose feast 
day is commemorated during this time of the year is 
Saint Cecilia, Virgin of Rome. Glorious, youthful 
daughter of a noble Roman family, humble servant 
of God and friend of all the poor, Cecilia gained for 
Christ on the day of her marriage the soul of her 
pagan spouse. At the same time, she renewed her 
vow of virginity, and consecrated herself once more, 
to God. 

The prefect of Rome, persecuting her in the name 
of an unjust and cruel law, was unsuccessful in his 
attempt to stifle her with steam in her own house. 
He then ordered her to be beheaded. The execu- 
tioner struck three brutal blows, but for three days 
Cecilia's soul still lingered in her virginal body* 

Romans xiii, 14. 



4 THE WORD OF GOD 

The body of the virgin martyr still remains in her 
own house, which is now the Church of Saint Cecilia. 
In a niche below the magnificent altar there is a beau- 
tiful statue of the saint, sculptured from pure white 
marble. It represents her as she was struck down by 
the blows of the executioner, a victim of the love 
she bore for Jesus and the love which Jesus bore for 
her. 

Every priest reads in the Lauds of the Divine 
Office on the feast of Saint Cecilia the following anti- 
phon, — "Cecilia, Thy handmaid, O Lord, has served 
Thee as industriously and as faithfully as toils the 
bee." The busy, tireless bee gathers sweetness from 
all the flowers. And likewise thou, O Christian, 
shouldst learn to emulate the sacrifice of this tender 
maiden, and make every action of the trying day a 
flower in thy crown of glory! 



SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT 
THE PRECURSOR 

"At that time, when John had heard in prison the works 
of Christ: sending two of his disciples, he said to Him: Art 
Thou He that art to come, or do we look for another ? And 
Jesus making answer, said to them, Go and relate to John 
what you have heard and seen. The blind see, the lame 
walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise 
again, the poor have the gospel preached to them; and 
blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in Me. And 
when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multi- 
tudes concerning John, What went you out into the desert 
to see? a reed shaken with the wind? But what went you 
out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they 
that are clothed in soft garments are in the houses of kings. 
But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea, I tell you, 
and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is 
written (in the Prophecy of Malachias), Behold I send My 
angel before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before 
Thee." Matthew xi, 2-10. 

IN this Gospel, the Church presents for our con- 
sideration, the austere figure of Saint John the 
Baptist. And if we follow the example which 
he has given to us, we shall fittingly prepare our- 
selves for the coming of the Saviour. Faithful to 
Jesus even unto death, the mission of Saint John 
was to make souls ready to receive the coming Mes- 
sias. The echo of his voice, and the engaging 

S 



6 THE WORD OF GOD 

uprightness of his character, attract and encourage 
us even today. 

Even before his birth, the Baptist was sanctified. 
This sanctification was accomplished in the moun- 
tainous country of Judea, at the voice of Mary, when 
the yet unborn precursor felt the presence of the 
hidden King of Kings. The first caresses, the first 
smiles of love which he received as an infant, were 
the caresses and smiles of the Blessed Virgin. 

In his youth he fled into the desert, guarding in 
the midst of the solitudes the priceless treasure of his 
purity. He led a miraculous life of spotless inno- 
cence, of rigorous, unflinching penance. His only 
garment was a rough covering made from the skin 
of a camel. 

All Jerusalem and all Judea went down into the 
valley of the Jordan to hear him preach. Sinners 
were touched with remorse at the thought of the 
lives which they had been leading, and cleansed in 
the waters of the Jordan, they resolved to lead good 
lives in preparation for the coming of the Redeemer. 
Thus was fulfilled the prophecy of Zachary, when 
he gave him the name of John. "And thou, child, 
shall be called the prophet of the Highest : for thou 
shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His 
ways." 1 

Other men had gone into the desert to pray, but 
they had wavered at the first hardships as reeds on 
the banks of the Jordan swayed in the wind. John, 
however, was faithful to his call and persevering in 
his resolutions. 

When he saw Jesus for the first time, he cried out, 

a Luke i, 76. 



THE WORD OF GOD 7 

"Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him who taketh 
away the sin of the world." x 

John wished to leave his followers in the care of 
Jesus, He was already within the shadow of death 
when he sent two of his disciples to ask Jesus if He 
were the Messias, — not that John himself had any 
doubt, but in order that they also might be convinced 
of the identity of Him "the latchet of Whose 
shoe" 2 John was not worthy to loose. This was 
John's last testament, for his glory was henceforth 
to fade before the glory of Christ as the light of 
the morning star pales in the dawning light of the 
sun. 

It was to these disciples that Jesus gave that mem- 
orable eulogy on Saint John, — "Amen, I say to you, 
there hath not risen among them that are born of 
woman a greater than John the Baptist." 3 

Saint John was now in prison. He had had the 
courage to face a shameless king and to rebuke him 
for his lust, — "It is not lawful for thee to have thy 
brother's wife." 4 From that day, the woman who 
was the king's associate in evil vowed the death of 
John the Baptist. 

It was the birthday of the king, and a wondrous 
banquet was served at court in his honor. Herod sat 
in the midst of his princes and tribunes, crowned 
with flowers, hailed and flattered by all. To the 
music of the harps and zithers, a young girl, the 
daughter of Herodias, was dancing a Greek dance. 

'Ask of me what thou wilt,* cried the monarch, 

'Tohn i, 29. 
2 John i, 27. 
8 Matthew xi, 11. 
4 Mark vi, 18. 



t( c 



8 THE WORD OF GOD 

flushed with pleasure. Whatsoever thou shalt ask, 
I will give thee, though it be the half of my king- 
dom.' " * It was the opportunity the incestuous wife 
and dissolute mother had hoped for, and she 
prompted the girl to make this horrible request, "I 
will that forthwith thou give me in a dish the head 
of John the Baptist." 2 "O God, what horror I" cries 
out Saint Ambrose, u a girlish heart desires no grace, 
no favor, or no pardon, but instead demands an exe- 
cution." Shortly afterwards, the executioner brought 
in the head of the martyr on a silver dish. The 
blood was still warm, the eyes half closed so not to 
gaze, it seemed, upon the authors of the deed, the 
mute lips still proclaiming in their silence, "It is not 
lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife." 3 

Thus did this saint of God live, and thus did he 
die. 



When the kings in the Orient set out on a long 
journey, they were accustomed to send heralds and 
messengers before them to prepare the way. And so 
the great King sent a precursor to prepare the way 
for Him, to prepare the hearts of men to receive 
Him. Realize, Christian soul, how important is this 
preparation. The prayer in the Mass today reads, 
"Arouse our hearts, O Lord, to prepare the way for 
Thine only-begotten Son, that through His coming 
we may be made worthy to serve Thee with pure 
minds and hearts." 



'Mark vi, 22, 23. 
2 Mark vi, 25. 
'Mark vi, 18. 



THE WORD OF GOD 9 

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEP- 
TION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 

"The angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of 
Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose 
name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's 
name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto 
her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art 
thou among women." Luke i, 26-28. 

RAISE thy thoughts to Heaven, Christian soul, 
summon forth all the powers of thy mind to 
contemplate the grandeur of her whom the 
angels salute as "full of grace." * Dispelling all the 
shadows, mounting above all the evil on the earth, 
Mary shines resplendent in the firmament of 
Heaven. More glorious and more pure in her mag- 
nificence than the driven snow on Alpine summit, the 
very mention of her name thrills every heart with 
love and reverence. The dark mantle of sin which 
had enshrouded and still enshrouds every soul born 
into the world never cast even a shadow on the soul 
of God's Immaculate Mother. 

Man had been created as the master of the earth 
and the heir of Heaven. He was to live the life 
of the angels, and was called the child of God. But 
man sinned, and sin marred all his beauty and his 
glory. Even the virgins and martyrs, whose lives 
were fragrant with the perfume of heavenly graces, 
were stained with the blot of original sin. Mary 
alone from the very moment of her conception was 
entirely free from this tarnish, "a woman clothed 

x Luke i, 28. 



10 THE WORD OF GOD 

with the sun." 1 "She 'is the brightness of Eternal 
Light, and the unspotted mirror of God's Majesty, 
and the image of His goodness.'' 2 

In the overwhelming triumph of the Blessed Vir- 
gin over sin, it was necessary to blot out the stain of 
the disgraceful fall of our first mother. 

Over the world had echoed and reechoed the 
thundering curse of God on the serpent tempter, 
"Because thou hast done this thing, thou art cursed 
among all cattle and beasts of the earth, upon thy 
breast shalt thou go, and earth shalt thou eat all 
the days of thy life. I will put enmities between thee 
and the woman, and thy seed and her seed : she shall 
crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her 
heel." 8 Mary crushed the head of the serpent, and 
the sons of Eve became the sons of Mary. The chil- 
dren of death were transformed into children of 
life. And in honor of Mary's victory, the Church 
makes use of the hymn which the warriors of Beth- 
ulia sang to Judith in honor of her victory over the 
Assyrians, "Thou art the glory of Jerusalem, thou 
art the joy of Israel, thou art the honor of our 

people." 4 

* * * 

Mary is in our midst today. 

As the Gave river winds its way at the foot of 
the Pyrenees mountains, in southern France, it 
passes a cave in the rocks. In this grotto, garlanded 
by the wild rose creeping through the crevices, the 

\A.pocalypse xii, 1. 
2 Wisdom vii, 26. 
"Genesis iii, 14, 15. 
*Judith xv, 10. 



THE WORD OF GOD 11 

Immaculate Virgin appeared to a little girl, Berna- 
dette Soubiroux, who was praying there in her honor. 
The first apparition occurred on the eleventh day of 
February, 1858. Resplendent with celestial bright- 
ness, with a smile upon her face, the Virgin looked 
with maternal love upon the little child, and the child 
gazed back with love at her. The virginal feet of 
the Madonna rested on the rocks in the midst of the 
briers and brambles, and she seemed to say, "The 
thorns which are now in your pathway will become 
roses in your crown in Heaven." 

A miraculous fountain gushed forth from the 
grotto, and the cures which have been wrought at 
this shrine of the Blessed Virgin are known all over 
the world. A beautiful church has been erected above 
the grotto, and its walls are covered with votive tab- 
lets and emblems, each one of which symbolizes the 
gratitude of some poor sufferer to whom Mary has 
granted relief. Thousands of crutches have been left 
there by those who had come to Lourdes crippled 
and gone away with their deformities entirely 
corrected. The Immaculate Virgin of Lourdes 
is a perennial unfailing source of blessings and 
favors for all who address her with the "Hail 
Mary." 

"O Mariner, whoever thou art," says Saint Ber- 
nard, "tossed about on the waves of life's stormy 
sea, knowing the peril of the dark waters threaten- 
ing to engulf thee, fix thy gaze on the Star of Hope 
in the Heavens and cry, 'Mary!' In difficulties, in 
doubt and in anguish, think of Mary and call on 
Mary to help thee. Let her name be ever on thy 
lips; let her love be ever in thy heart. If thou fol- 



12 THE WORD OF GOD 

lowest her, thou shalt not wander from the course ; 
if thou prayest to her, thou shalt not despair. If she 
helps thee, thou shalt not weary; if she guides thee, 
thou shalt reach the harbor." 



THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

"At that time: the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and 
Levites to John, to ask him, Who art thou? And he con- 
fessed, and did not deny; and he confessed, I am not the 
Christ. And they asked him, What then ? Art thou Elias ? 
And he said, I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he 
answered, No. They said therefore unto him, Who art 
thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? 
What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of 
one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the 
Lord, as said the prophet Isaias. And they that were sent 
were of the pharisees. And they asked him, and said to him, 
Why, then, dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor 
Elias, nor the prophet? John answered them, saying, I 
baptize with water; but there hath stood one in the midst 
of you Whom you know not ; the same is He that shall come 
after me, Who is preferred before me, the latchet of Whose 
shoe I am not worthy to loose. These things were done in 
Bethania beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing." 
John i, 19-28. 

AS the feast of the Nativity approaches, the 

A% liturgy of the Church becomes more jubilant. 

i. JL "The Lord is near; come let us adore Him," 

is the invitatory which is constantly repeated in the 

recitation of the Divine Office. 

The third Sunday of Advent is also known as 
Gaudete" Sunday, and it is so called because the 
introit of the Mass begins with the word "Gaudete," 
which means, "Rejoice." The joyful character of 

13 



a 



14 THE WORD OF GOD 

the day is indicated by the flowers on the altar, by 
the substitution of rose colored vestments for the 
sombre purple of Advent, and by the note of gladness 
which sounds throughout all the psalmody. In the 
epistle of the Mass, the voice of Saint Paul rings out 
in exultation, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I 
say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men. 
The Lord is nigh. Be solicitous about nothing; but 
in everything by prayer and supplication, with 
thanksgving, let your petitions be made known to 
God. And the peace of God which surpasseth all 
understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ 
Jesus." 1 

The Gospel in the Mass tells of the Priests and 
Levites whom the Sanhedrin sent to inquire of Saint 
John the Baptist if he were the Messias. Saint John 
answered at once, "I am not the Christ." 2 And 
quoting the words of the prophet Isaias, John 
replied, " 'I am the voice of one crying in the wilder- 
ness, make straight the way of the Lord." ' 3 Saint 
John further explained that his baptism was a sim- 
ple penitential rite of preparation, " 'but He that 
shall come after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes 
I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you in the 
Holy Ghost and fire." ' 4 Thus, the first announce- 
ment of the dawn of Christianity was a proclama- 
tion of joy, and, therefore, it is called "Gospel," or 
good tidings. 

From the day of this announcement, the lives of 
the saints were lives of supreme happiness. They 

^hilippians iv, 4-7. 
2 John i, 20. 
"John i, 23. 
'Matthew iii, 11. 



THE WORD OF GOD 15 

were to be visited at times with difficulties and dis- 
appointments, but consoled by the thought that Jesus 
was nigh, their troubles could not oppress them. 
Saint Lucy affirmed before her impious, cruel judges 
that no human power could put out, or even dimin- 
ish, the light which shone in her soul. 

Jesus ! Thou Who givest such beauty to the things 
of the earth, Who dost adorn the flowers of the field 
with delicate fragrance and bloom, the birds of the 
air with brilliancy of color and enchanting notes of 
song, deign to grant to us Thy children the sublime 
happiness of receiving Thee worthily at Christmas 
time ! Make our souls beautiful with Thy Heavenly 
graces, adorn us with every virtue, inspire our hearts 
with tremendous power to love Thee, make our 
voices eloquent to praise Thee! Jesus! Thou art 
Innocence and Goodness! Thou art Life and Love 
Itself. We long to possess Thee. Jesus! Come 
to us. 

Reflect, O Christian soul, how happy we shall be 
at Christmas. Consider, also, dearly beloved, how 
sad indeed, and dark and gloomy, must be the heart 
which is enshrouded in the darkness of the world, a 
life in which every pleasure is anxiety, every impulse, 
selfishness, and every hope, despair. 

We may raise our hearts, therefore, on high. The 
responses in matins of the Divine Office, bright with 
the approach of the Saviour, tell of peace: "Ascend 
the highest mountain, O prophet, raise thy voice with 
all thy strength, cry out to the cities of Juda, to the 
inhabitants of Sion, and announce the gospel of 
peace. Justice shall prevail, and peace will abound. 
Jesus is the Prince of Peace." 



16 THE WORD OF GOD 

O peace, so much invoked, the peace which the 
world cannot give, peace, the refreshment of souls 
thirsting for truth, the repose of hearts sighing for 
true love, return to us I Return to the poor, suffering 
people of the world, who wish harmony to prevail 
among all nations ! 

During this week, the Church begins the great 
no vena for the Feast of Christmas, and she purifies 
herself by fasting for the coming of the Infant Sav- 
iour. The voice of John the Baptist invites us to 
practise mortification,. in order to break down the last 
barriers, to make smooth the pathway to our souls. 
And the consolation which we shall implore by our 
prayers and by our tears is that the peace of God 
may be restored among all nations, that the peace 
of God may be present in families, that the peace of 
God may enter into all hearts. 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT 

EXPIATION OF SIN 

"In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, 
Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being 
tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother tetrarch of Iturea 
and the country of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of 
Abilina, under the high priests Annas and Caiphas; the 
word of the Lord came to John the son of Zachary, in the 
desert. And he came into all the country about the Jor- 
dan, preaching the baptism of penance for the remission of 
sins; as it is written in the book of the sayings of Isaias the 
prophet: A voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare 
ye the way of the Lord, make straight His paths. Every 
valley shall be filled; and every mountain and hill shall 
be brought low: the crooked shall be made straight, and the 
rough ways plain, and all flesh shall see the salvation of 
God." Luke iii, 1-6. 

THE enumeration of the high dignitaries of the 
world which appears in today's Gospel, has 
all the frightful solemnity of a sentence of 
justice decreed on this world, fast plunging onward 
to its ruinous end. The most awful personages in 
human history pass in review before our eyes. 
Tiberius, Pilate, Herod and Caiphas, profaners of 
the throne and of the altar, personify the depravity 
of the times and the special iniquity of the chosen 
people. 

Such was the state of the world when "the word 

17 



18 THE WORD OF GOD 

of the Lord was made unto John, the son of Zach- 
ary, in the desert'' * Saint John then left his desert 
solitude and entered into the country about the Jor- 
dan, to exhort men to do penance for their sins. God 
wished to redeem the human race, but He was to 
require of sinners some indication of their repent- 
ance and some atonement for the offences which they 
had committed. 

The Baptist preaches penance to us also, — "Bring 
forth therefore fruits worthy of penance. . . . For 
now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every 
tree therefore that bringeth not forth good fruit, 
shall be cut down and cast into the fire." 2 

God is infinitely good, but He is also infinitely just. 
Wherefore, if we have sinned, we must do penance. 
Sooner or later, we must atone for our sins, either 
by penance through loving choice, or by fire as an 
obligatory punishment. 

Every time that God warns sinners, His threats 
are but acts of His mercy. Saint Augustine says that 
the one who cries out before he strikes does not 
really wish to wound. And so God cries out to the 
sinner to do penance, since "now is the acceptable 
time; behold now is the day of salvation." s 

There are some men, however, who persist in 
blindness, who do not care to consider that "the 
great day of the Lord is near." 4 But even with 
such men, the Lord is merciful. God is good, and He 
sometimes strikes in this life in order not to punish 

*Luke iii, 2. 
2 Luke iii, 8, 9. 
8 II Corinthians vi, Z. 
4 Sophonias i, 14. 



THE WORD OF GOD 19 

in the next. "If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be 

made as white as snow." 1 

Penance disarms justice. "Thou, O sinful man," 

warns Saint Ambrose, "hast placed thy foot on the 

brink of a chasm. Quickly withdraw it or thou shalt 

fall headlong into the abyss. Do not delay in casting 

off the bonds of sin. Thy moments of mercy are 

numbered." 

# # * 

Saint Francis Borgia, the fourth duke of Gandia, 
and lord of the court of Charles the Fifth, had en- 
tered the religious life, and had become one of the 
most austere penitents of the Church. He was travel- 
ing one day and met a nobleman, a former acquaint- 
ance, who was startled to see him so poorly clad. 
His friend anxiously implored Saint Francis to 
lessen the rigors of his penances. The saint told 
him that he was not unprovided for, as an attendant 
always went before him who furnished everything 
necessary. The nobleman further inquired about 
the identity of the attendant, and Saint Francis 
replied that the attendant who prepared everything 
for him was the thought of what he deserved, and 
so he always found everything much more pleasant 
and satisfactory than he expected. 

The event which influenced Francis Borgia to 
leave the world is well known. He had been 
entrusted with the duty of accompanying the body 
of the Empress Isabella to Granada. When the 
coffin was opened the other members of the court 
fled in horror at the sight, but Francis remained im- 
movable before the corpse. "And thou wast my 

a Isaias i, 18. 



20 THE WORD OF GOD 

empress," he murmured. "Isabella, where is thy 
majesty, where thy beauty now?" 

The voice of Saint John the Baptist rings out full 
and clear, "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of 
penance. The axe is laid at the root of the trees." l 
Tremble, lest this warning, if we despise it, be for 
us a transfixing sword of remorse for all eternity. 

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY 

On the feast of the Nativity of Jesus, each priest is permitted 
to celebrate three Masses. In former times, the Holy Father cele- 
brated Midnight Mass in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, before 
the relics of the manger-crib in which the Infant Saviour was 
placed at His birth. The Pope offered his second Mass at dawn 
in the Church of Saint Anastasia, as Christmas is the anniversary 
of her martyrdom. The third Mass was celebrated later in the 
morning in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. 

On the days which follow Christmas, the Church commemo- 
rates the feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr, Saint John, the 
beloved Apostle, and the Holy Innocents. The roses of martyr- 
dom and the lilies of virginity form a fragrant garland of feast 
days succeeding this great feast day — the birthday of Jesus Christ. 

THE BIRTH OF CHRIST 

"At that time, there went out a decree from Caesar Augus- 
tus that the whole world should be enrolled. This enrolling 
was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria. And all 
went to be enrolled, every one into his own city. And Jos- 
eph also went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, 
into Judea to the city of David, w T hich is called Bethlehem, 
because he was of the house and family of David, to be 
enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child. 
And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days 



*Luke iii, 8, 9. 



THE WORD OF GOD 21 

were accomplished, that she should be delivered. And she 
brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him up in 
swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there 
was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the 
same country shepherds watching, and keeping the night 
watches over their flock. And behold an angel of the Lord 
stood by them, and the brightness of God shone round 
about them, and they feared with a great fear. And the 
angel said to them : Fear not ; for behold I bring you good 
tidings of great joy, that shall be to all the people; for this 
day is born to you a Saviour, Who is Christ the Lord, in 
the city of David. And this shall be a sign unto you: You 
shall find the Infant wrapped in swaddling clothes, and 
laid in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel 
a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God, and saying: 
Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace to men of 
good will." Luke ii, 1-14. (The Gospel of the Mass at 
midnight.) 

" y^l LORY to God in the highest; and on earth 
€ nr peace to men of good will." * This is the 
^^ song of the angels. The dark, damp stable 
is transformed into a paradise of light and song. 
The King of Kings is born. We can hardly refrain 
from weeping with emotion. All the doors in the 
city of Bethlehem at which His Blessed Mother and 
Saint Joseph have knocked have been closed before 
them. A stable is His palace, and a pallet of straw 
His bed. 

His face is radiant with goodness and with tender- 
ness. The tears which He sheds are not tears of 
grief, but tears of love. His Virgin Mother with 
great reverence kneels before Him. She wraps Him 

'Luke ii, 14. 



22 THE WORD OF GOD 

in swaddling clothes and warms His infant face and 
hands with her kisses. Mary smiles at Jesus, and 
Jesus smiles at her. 

We also, brethren, should kneel in reverence be- 
fore the crib of the Saviour. He has been born an 
infant because He wishes to be loved, and no soul 
need fear to approach Him. 

It is not necessary to go far distant in search of 
Jesus. Every church is today a luminous grotto, and 
every altar a crib. Light and splendor and rejoicing 
are within; cold and darkness are without 

"Jesus is born, come let us adore Him!" are the 
words of the liturgy. Heaven has showered its 
sweetness throughout all the world today. Yes, for 
today the miracle is repeated. In our chalices, the 
Heavenly Dew is sparkling. On our patens, Jesus 
smiles. 

Let us, therefore, with reverence prostrate our- 
selves with the angels before Him. The Church 
suggests a prayer to us : u O Lord, who renewest Thy 
nativity in our minds, open our hearts also to Thy 
life, and in the sacred mysteries refresh us with Thy 
Precious Blood and nourish us with Thy Sacred 

Body." 

* * * 

There is the story of a little white flower which 
is the delight of many fervent souls to hear and to 
consider. Sister Teresa of the Infant Jesus, "the 
Little Flower," was born on the second day of Janu- 
ary, 1873. She chose a "small way," as she said, "to 
go to Heaven, — the way of spiritual infancy, of en- 
tire abandonment and trust in God." When she was 
fifteen years of age, she entered the Carmel of 



THE WORD OF GOD 23 

Lisieux. "O Jesus, my love," she wrote, "at last I 
have found my vocation. My vocation is love. Great 
works are forbidden to me ; I am not able to preach 
the Gospel, nor to shed my blood. I am only a poor 
little girl, but I can scatter flowers, which will diffuse 
their perfume around the throne of God; for scat- 
tering flowers means embracing every opportunity 
to make some small sacrifice. I wish to take advan- 
tage of every small occasion to show my love. I wish 
to suffer through love." In a veritable outpouring 
of herself in charity, she exclaimed, "Why can I not 
tell, O Jesus, of Thy kindness, Thy condescension to 
all little souls? Was it not Thee Who taught me 
Thy secrets, and canst Thou not now reveal them to 
others? Look down, I pray Thee, and attract with 
Thy divine countenance a great number of little 
souls, and make of all these souls a legion of little 
victims of Thy love." 

FEAST OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS 

"At that time an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to 
Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the Child and His mother, 
and fly into Egypt ; and be there until I tell thee : for it will 
come to pass that Herod will seek the Child to destroy Him. 
Who arose, and took the Child and His mother by night, 
and retired into Egypt; and He was there until the death 
of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke 
by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called My Son." 
Matthew ii, 13-15. 

IN the midst of her rejoicing at the birth of Jesus, 
the Church is plunged into sorrow. The joy of 
the Christmas season changes to sadness for the 
moment at the thought of the massacre of the Holy 



24 THE WORD OF GOD 

Innocents. Herod wished to kill the dreaded rival 
to his throne, and he hoped to slaughter Him at His 
very birth. And so he decreed the cruel sentence 
of death on all children "two years old and under.' ' * 
The very thought of the execution of this terrible 
sentence chills our hearts with horror. Frenzied 
mothers snatch their babes from their cribs and flee 
in terror to a hiding place, but the infant cries betray 
their presence to the brutal soldiers of the tyrant. A 
furious struggle rages between the unarmed mothers, 
shielding their loved ones, and the soldiers with their 
swords of death. "If there be any guilt," the 
mothers cry in anguish, "this guilt is ours; slay us 
and spare the innocent; before you kill them, pierce 
our hearts with the swords or else we die of grief." 
But all the pleadings, all the struggles of the 
mothers, could not save the helpless infants, and the 
swords reeked with the blood of the babes martyred 
for Jesus Christ. 

sjc # * 

Not far from Bethlehem there is the monument 
of Rachel. When the sons of Benjamin heard that 
distant relatives were snatched from their homes by 
the enemy and were sold into slavery, it seemed to 
the prophet Jeremias that he heard their long, sad 
cry as if they were sobbing for rest. And today, at 
the anguished wail of the mothers, Rachel raises her 
head from the grave once more, and, wounded to 
the heart, moans with them. She does not wish to be 
consoled, for her children are no more. 

And yet, although the Innocents were massacred, 

a Matthew ii, 16. 



THE WORD OF GOD 25 

they became triumphant. Baptized in their own 
blood, unable even to pronounce the name of Christ, 
they proclaimed Christ gloriously by their death. 
They are the first bloom of martyrs in the Church, 
— flowers opening before their time in the midst of 
the frost, and fallen before the chill breath of the 
storm. "Blessed art thou, O Bethlehem, land of 
Juda," exclaims Saint Augustine, "that in one day 
offered to God such a spotless holocaust of inno- 
cence. Blessed are you, O children, who in your 
very infancy, before any trials, merited the imperish- 
able crown of glory." Not without profound emo- 
tion does the Church in the Divine Office of this feast 
meditate on the sublime words, vibrant with faith, 
which the prophet Jeremias addressed to Rachel: 
"Let thy voice cease from weeping and thy eyes 
from tears for . . . there is hope for thy last end . . . 
and the children shall return to their own borders." * 

When we think that we have suffered unjustly 
from injuries or from calumnies, and we lament on 
this account with God, and complain to men, we 
should think of these little ones cut down by the 
tyrant's sword, who were certainly much more inno- 
cent than we are. We should reflect that Jesus, the 
stainless Lamb of God, endured the most atrocious 
torture, and that following in the footsteps of Jesus 
no one who bears the name of Christian is exempt 
from drinking of the chalice of His suffering. 

Adversity and suffering are not great evils. The 
great, the only real evil, is sin. Sin makes us enemies 
of God; adversity opens for us the gates of Para- 
dise. No one could have favored the children of 



x Jeremias xxxi, 16-17. 



26 THE WORD OF GOD 

Bethlehem by love as Herod favored them by hate. 
We should, therefore, endure trials and suffering 
with great faith. The world inflicts troubles on us 
to rob us of the virtues which God has given to us. 
And indeed we shall see the day when for this sole 
reason, because of our virtues, men will hate and 
revile us. u Blessed are ye when they shall revile you 
and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against 
you, untruly, for my sake. Be glad and rejoice, for 
your reward is very great in Heaven." * 

FEAST OF THE CIRCUMCISION OF OUR 

LORD 

OBEDIENCE 

"At that time, after eight days were accomplished that the 
child should be circumcised, His name was called Jesus 
(Saviour), which was called by the angel before He was 
conceived in the womb." Luke ii, 21. 

THE first solemn rite of the Jewish religion by 
which a new-born infant is formally enrolled 
as a participator in the divine promises made 
to the chosen people is the occasion of great rejoic- 
ing by all. The observance of this religious service 
in the life of John the Baptist, the precursor of the 
Saviour, is narrated in the first chapter of Saint 
Luke. All the family of Zachary united to do honor 
to the newly elected scion of the race. 

There is no celebration, however, in honor of 
Jesus. The extreme poverty of the Child who had 
been born in a manger, precluded the usual rejoicing. 

'Matthew v, 11, 12. 



THE WORD OF GOD 27 

Jesus had come to free others from the yoke of this 
law, but He wishes to subject Himself to it. His 
passion begins today. He receives His baptism of 
blood. Eternal Purity is willing to bear in His im- 
maculate flesh the sign of a sinful people. Nor is 
Jesus like other infants who suffer without under- 
standing the reason for the pain. He under- 
stands and willingly endures it all. He seals with 
His own blood the name of Saviour, which He has 
received. 

"Wherefore, when He cometh into the world, He 
saith: . . . 'Sacrifices and oblations, and holocausts 
for sin Thou wouldst not; neither are they pleasing 
to Thee, which are offered according to the law.' 
. . . 'Behold, I come to do Thy will, O God.' " 1 

"He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto 
death, even to the death of the cross." 2 From 
His cradle to His death on Calvary, Jesus trod 
only one pathway, — the road of humiliation and 
blood. 

It is true that He shed tears while He underwent 
the painful rite of circumcision. He was a child, and 
resembled His brethren in all things except in sin. 
These tears were a sign of his love for us. Later on 
in life, He will weep at the tomb of Lazarus, and 
the Jews present will exclaim, "Behold how He 
loved him." 3 Jesus sheds tears for us today, and 
He also sheds His Precious Blood. Behold, there- 
fore, how much He loves us. 

Mary presses her Child to her heart. And thus 



Hebrews x, 5-9. 
*Philippians ii, 8. 
3 John x, 36. 



28 THE WORD OF GOD 

our Mother begins her martyrdom. Mary suffers in 
her soul the pain which Jesus suffers in His body. 
But Mary suffers in silence because she is obedient 
to the will of her Father Who is in Heaven. 

At the beginning of the new year, we must write 
this word, "obedience," in our hearts. Just as we 
loved the very walls of our father's home in the 
days of our childhood, just as we loved our good 
companions, who were almost brothers in our 
family, so also, we must love and obey our supe- 
riors, whose will is the will of God. We must be 
docile to them, not because of fear, but because of 
reverence. 

Saint John Berchmans reached the heights of 
sanctity without any other mortification than that 
which he practised by obedience. "My greatest pen- 
ance," he said, "is community life and obedience to 
the rules of my religious society." 

The Kingdom of Heaven must be obtained by a 
battle; it must be secured by violence. "The King- 
dom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent 
bear it away." * When pride puts suggestions of 
obstinacy and rebellion into our minds, we must 
quickly conquer these inclinations and render to 
Christ love for love. To submit our wills for the 
love of Christ is much less than the shedding of His 
blood by Christ for us. Let us obey, therefore, with 
good wills and with generous hearts, and God will 
free us from the humiliating slavery of our passions. 
If we walk for a little time among thorns, we shall 
soon find the roses in Heaven. 



Matthew xi, 12. 



THE WORD OF GOD 29 

FEAST OF THE HOLY NAME 

"At that time, after eight days were accomplished that 
the Child should be circumcised, His name was called Jesus, 
which was called by the angel (on the day of the Annuncia- 
tion) before He was conceived in the womb." Luke ii, 21. 

WE may consider today, dearly beloved breth- 
ren, an inspired page in the Acts of the 
Apostles, a chapter which exalts the power 
and the glory of the name of Jesus. No human 
author could even approach the sublimity of the 
simple narrative telling of the miraculous cure 
of the lame man. "Peter and John went up 
into the temple at the ninth hour of prayer. And 
a certain man who was lame from his mother's 
womb, was carried: whom they laid every day at 
the gate of the temple, which is called 'Beautiful,' 
that he might ask alms of them that went into the 
temple. He, when he had seen Peter and John 
about to go into the temple, asked to receive an 
alms. But Peter, with John fastening his eyes 
upon him, said, 'Look upon us.' But he looked ear- 
nestly upon them, hoping that he should receive 
something of them. But Peter said, 'Silver and gold 
I have none, but what I have, I give thee. In the 
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and w r alk.' 
And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up, 
and forthwith his feet and soles received strength. 
And he leaping up, stood, and walked, and went in 
with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and 
praising God. And all the people saw him walking 
and praising God. And they knew him, that it was 
he who sat begging alms at the 'Beautiful' gate of 



30 THE WORD OF GOD 

the temple; and they were filled with wonder and 

amazement at that which had happened to him. And 

as he held Peter and John, all the people ran to 

them to the porch which is called 'Solomon's,' 

greatly wondering. But Peter seeing, made answer 

to the people, 'Ye men of Israel, why wonder you at 

this? Or why look you upon us as if by our strength 

or power we had made this man to walk? The God 

of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of 

Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified His 

Son, Jesus, Whom you indeed delivered up and 

denied before the face of Pilate, when he judged he 

should be released. But you denied the Holy One 

and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted 

unto you. But the Author of Life you killed, Whom 

God hath raised from the dead, of which we are 

witnesses. And in the faith of His name, this man, 

whom you have seen and known, hath His name 

strengthened; and the faith which is by him, hath 

given this perfect soundness in the sight of you 

all.' " 1 

* * * 

"And it came to pass on the morrow, that their 
princes, and ancients, and scribes, were gathered to- 
gether in Jerusalem ; and Annas the high-priest, and 
Caiphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as 
were of the kindred of the high priest. And setting 
them in the midst, they asked: 'By what power, or 
by what name, have you done this?' Then Peter, 
filled with the Holy Ghost, said to them, 'Ye princes 
of the people, and ancients, hear : If we this day are 

*Acts of the Apostles ill, 1-16. 



THE WORD OF GOD 31 

examined concerning the good deed done to the in- 
firm man, by what means he hath been made whole, 
be it known to you all, and to all the people of 
Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 
of Nazareth, Whom you crucified, Whom God hath 
raised from the dead, even by Him this man stand- 
eth here before you whole. This is the stone which 
was rejected by you the builders, which is become the 
head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in 
any other. For there is no other name under Heaven 
given to men, whereby we must be saved.' Now 
seeing the constancy of Peter and of John, under- 
standing that they were illiterate and ignorant men, 
they wondered; and they knew them that they had 
been with Jesus. Seeing the man also who had been 
healed, standing with them, they could say nothing 
against it. But they commanded them to go aside 
out of the council ; and they conferred among them- 
selves, saying, 'What shall we do to these men? For 
indeed a known miracle hath been done by them, to 
all the inhabitants of Jerusalem; it is manifest, and 
we cannot deny it. But that it may be no farther 
spread among the people, let us threaten them that 
they speak no more in this name to any man.' And 
calling them, they charged them not to speak at all, 
nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John 
answering, said to them, 'If it be just in the sight of 
God, to hear you rather than God, judge ye. For 
we cannot but speak the things which we have seen 
and heard.' But they, threatening, sent them away, 
not finding how they might punish them, because of 
the people ; for all men glorified what had been done, 
in that which had come to pass. For the man was 



32 THE WORD OF GOD 

above forty years old, in whom that miraculous cure 
had been wrought And being let go, they came to 
their own company, and related all that the chief 
priests and ancients had said to them. Who having 
heard it, with one accord lifted up their voice to 
God, and said, 'Lord, Thou art He that didst make 
heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in 
them. Who, by the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of 
our father David, Thy servant, hast said: Why did 
the Gentiles rage, and the people meditate vain 
things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the 
princes assembled together against the Lord and His 
Christ. For of a truth there assembled together in 
this city against Thy holy Child Jesus, Whom Thou 
hast anointed, Herold, and Pontius Pilate, with the 
Gentiles and the people of Israel, to do what Thy 
hand and Thy counsel decreed to be done. And 
now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant unto 
Thy servants, that with all confidence they may speak 
Thy word, by stretching forth Thy hand to curses, 
and signs, and wonders to be done by the name of 
Thy holy Son Jesus.' " 1 

And today, after many centuries, Peter meets on 
his way poor unfortunates, who look on him as they 
lie in their misery. He has neither gold nor silver 
with which to console them. He has only a name, 
and a faith. At his voice, the people rise to their 
feet in the name of Jesus Christ, the Nazarene. By 
this faith, and by this name, the mission of the 
Pope, despite the raging of his enemies, continues 
immortal. 



\Acts of the Apostles iv, 5-30. 



THE WORD OF GOD 33 

FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY 
THE ADORATION OF THE MAGI 

"When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the 
days of King Herod, behold there came wise men from the 
east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born king of 
the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are 
come to adore Him. And King Herod, hearing this, was 
troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And assembled to- 
gether all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he 
inquired of them where Christ should be born. But they 
said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda, for so it is written by 
the prophet (Micheas) : And thou Bethlehem, the land of 
Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda; for out 
of thee shall come forth the ruler that shall rule my people 
Israel. Then Herod privately calling the wise men, learned 
diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to 
them; and sending them into Bethlehem, said, Go and dili- 
gently inquire after the Child, and when you have found 
Him, bring me word again, that I also may come and adore 
Him; Who having heard the king, went their way; and 
behold the star which they had seen in the east went before 
them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. 
And seeing the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 
And entering into the house, they found the Child with 
Mary, His mother, and falling down, they adored Him. 
And opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts: gold, 
frankincense, and myrrh. And having received an answer 
in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went 
back another way into their own country." Matthew ii, 
1-12. 

THE wise men who had come from the East to 
Jerusalem had recognized Heaven's sign of 
the new-born King, and had come to adore 
Him. For although these dignitaries from the 



34 THE WORD OF GOD 

Orient were Gentiles, they also, in common with the 
chosen people, looked forward to the coming of the 
Messias. The fact that the Jews were not alone in 
expecting the Messias is attested by the historians 
of the time, for even outside of Palestine the dawn 
of a new era was confidently expected and earnestly 
desired. This hopeful longing is the reason, there- 
fore, that when the Magi saw the wondrous star, 
they at once understood the meaning of the manifes- 
tation, and without delay began their journey to 
Judea. As a tribute to the Infant King Whom they 
were coming to adore, they carried gifts of gold and 
of precious ointments. The Fathers of the Church 
interpret the nature of the gifts as a three-fold pro- 
fession of faith. The offering of myrrh, which pre- 
serves the body from corruption, indicated that the 
Magi recognized the human nature in Christ; by 
offering incense, they adored Him as God; by offer- 
ing gold, they proclaimed Him a King. 

"Begotten before the morning star, before all 
time, the Saviour has appeared in the world!" Thus 
sings the Church at dawn today in lauds of the 
Divine Office. Jesus has revealed Himself to the Gen- 
tile world, and, therefore, the feast day is called Epi- 
phany, which means manifestation. "Let your faith 
be warm and fervid," exclaims Saint Leo the Great, 
"and exultingly rejoice, for the conversion of the 
Magi is the beginning of that great movement which 
will bring pagans to God." It is the beginning of our 
call to the true faith. This day marks the com- 
mencement of Catholicity or the Universality of the 
Church. The star has shone beyond the land of the 
Jewish people; it was a beacon light for all mankind. 



THE WORD OF GOD 35 

"Arise, be enlightened, O Jerusalem," cries the 
prophet Isaias, "for thy light is come, and the glory 
of the Lord is risen upon thee. . . . And the Gentiles 
shall walk in thy light, and kings in the brightness 
of thy rising. Lift up thy eyes round about, and 
see : all these are gathered together, they are come 
to thee. Thy sons shall come from afar, and thy 
daughters shall rise up at thy side. Then shalt thou 
see, and abound, and thy heart shall wonder and be 
enlarged, when the multitude of the sea shall be 
converted to thee, the strength of the Gentiles shall 
come to thee. The multitude of camels shall cover 
thee, the dromedaries of Madian and Epha. All 
they from Saba shall come, bringing gold and frank- 
incense, and showing forth praise to the Lord." * 

The light of the true faith shines forth in the 
Church of Christ, spreading throughout all nations, 
lasting throughout all the ages. All dark shadows are 
to be dispersed, and noble-hearted missionaries are 
struggling in pagan lands to light the lamp of faith 
in all these regions. The missionary priests and sis- 
ters have sacrificed everything for the love of God. 
All that men and women hold dear, — life, loved ones 
and country, — have been cheerfully given up by them 
to carry the Gospel of Christ to pagan lands. 

We should pray that God may increase the num- 
ber of these heroes, and even though it may not be 
our privilege to be numbered among these valiant 
selected soldiers of Christ, we may still have a share 
in the glorious work which they are doing. We 
should not allow them to think that they have been 
abandoned by us in the trying struggle which they 

isaias Ix, 1-6. 



36 THE WORD OF GOD 

are making against overwhelming difficulties. We 
should encourage them by our prayers, and, if it 
is possible, by our offerings. We should read the 
periodicals which tell of missionary life, mission- 
ary activities, and missionary hardships and heart- 
breaks. We should be apostles of good with at 
least the same zeal and interest with which the 
wicked propagate evil. For every effort, for every 
sacrifice, which we make for the Children of Christ 
as yet outside the Church of Christ, we shall receive 
a hundred-fold return. And if we are the means of 
bringing even one soul to the knowledge and love of 
God, our "reward is very great in Heaven." 1 

Matthew v, 12. 



SUNDAY WITHIN THE OCTAVE OF 
EPIPHANY 

JESUS AMONG THE DOCTORS 

"And when Jesus was twelve years old, they going up to 
Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast, and having 
fulfilled the days, when they returned, the Child Jesus 
remained in Jerusalem; and His parents knew it not. And 
thinking that He was in the company, they came a day's 
journey, and sought Him among their kinsfolks and acquaint- 
ance. And not finding Him, they returned into Jerusalem, 
seeking Him. And it came to pass, that after three days 
they found Him in the temple sitting in the midst of the 
doctors, hearing them and asking them questions. And all 
that heard Him were astonished at His wisdom and His 
answers. And seeing Him, they wondered. And His 
mother said to Him, Son, why hast Thou done so to us? 
Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing. And 
He said to them, How is it that you sought me? Did you 
not know that I must be about My Father's business? And 
they understood not the word that He spoke unto them. 
And He went down with them, and came to Nazareth ; and 
was subject to them. And His mother kept all these words 
in her heart. And Jesus advanced in wisdom and age, and 
grace with God and man." Luke ii, 42-52. 

WHEN Jesus was twelve years old, He accom- 
panied the Blessed Virgin and Saint Joseph 
on the pilgrimage to Jerusalem which they 
were accustomed to make every year on the day of 
the Pasch. Pilgrims from all parts of the Jewish 

37 



38 THE WORD OF GOD 

world were gathered in the Holy City to observe this 
solemn festival. When they had fulfilled their relig- 
ious obligations, the pilgrims from Galilee united to 
begin their journey home. Their caravan was 
divided into small groups. The men who traveled 
on foot led the pilgrimage, and the older men and 
women followed, taking turns in riding on the beasts 
of burden. The young boys amused themselves by 
passing from one group to another. After seven 
hours of travel, shortly before dusk, the caravan 
stopped to prepare an encampment for the night. 
The families reunited, and it was then that Mary 
and Joseph learned that Jesus was not with the 
others. 

Only a mother can appreciate the grief of the 
Blessed Virgin. In twelve years, she had never 
before lost sight of Jesus, and now He was lost in 
a crowd of pilgrims departing in all directions. 
O night of anguish and night of tears ! Every hour 
that passed increased her fears and her anxieties. 
There was not a single cabin back along their route, 
at the door of which Mary and Joseph did not 
knock. After many vain and fruitless inquiries, 
worn out by their exertions and their heartaches, 
they finally arrived back at the temple. The two 
days' agony which they had endured was more ter- 
rible than death itself, and in their eyes there were 
no longer tears for weeping. 

They entered into the hall of the Scribes. They 
heard the voice of Jesus. Their hearts thrilled with 
joy. They saw their loved One again. His face 
radiant with divine beauty and wisdom, He was 
calmly speaking with the learned doctors. "And His 



THE WORD OF GOD 39 

Mother said to Him, 'Son, why hast thou done so 
to us? Behold Thy father and I have sought Thee 
sorrowing.' " 1 The reply of Jesus exalts Him above 
men: u How is it that you sought Me? Did you not 
know that I must be about my Father's business?" 2 

Mary and Joseph did not understand for the mo- 
ment the meaning of this reply which Jesus made 
to them. The answer, however, was not intended 
for them, but rather, it was meant for us. The one 
purpose in the mission of Jesus is the glory of God. 
And even though the Saviour of the world was sub- 
ject to Mary and Joseph for thirty years in order to 
teach us docility and obedience, at the same time 
Jesus wished also to remind us that we must be ready 
to sacrifice all of our affections, even the most 
holy, when the glory of God is concerned. 

Reflect, Christian soul, on the meaning of this 
truth. Consider, that in answering the voice of 
Heaven, there is sometimes hesitation because of 
love or fear of parents. 



Within a few days, all the city of Rome will turn 
its footsteps towards the Via Nomentana, to venerate 
the sepulchre of a maiden martyr, Saint Agnes. A 
bitter persecution of the Christians was raging, but 
this maiden of thirteen years did not fear to profess 
herself publicly to be a Christian; and even before 
an impious judge she persevered unflinchingly in her 
resolution of purity, her absolutely unconquerable 
love for Jesus. "The very executioner," exclaimed 



x Luke ii, 48. 
2 Luke ii, 49. 



40 THE WORD OF GOD 

Saint Ambrose, "was seen to tremble as if he him- 
self were the one condemned.' f All those who were 
near her were transfixed with fear and terror; all 
but herself were weeping. She alone remained reso- 
lute and intrepid, for she well knew the crown of 
glory that she was about to gain. 

If persecution should return, we have faith that 
in the Catholic Church there would be more than one 
virgin daughter happy to follow the example of 
Saint Agnes ; that more than one young Levite would 
imitate the example of Saint Lawrence. But while 
we take pride in recalling the deeds of these glorious 
saints, we should not forget that we ourselves may 
fulfill the will of God and make progress on the way 
to Heaven by patiently and cheerfully enduring the 
various trials to which we may be subject. 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 
THE MARRIAGE IN CAN A 

"At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: 
and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also 
was invited, and His disciples, to the marriage. And the 
wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to Him, They have 
no wine. And Jesus saith to her, Woman, what is it to 
Me and to thee? My hour is not yet come. His mother 
saith to the waiters, Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye. 
Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according 
to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two 
or three measures apiece. Jesus saith to them, Fill the 
waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 
And Jesus saith to them, Draw out now, and carry to the 
chief steward of the feast: and they carried it. And when 
the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and 
knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had 
drawn the water: the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, 
and saith to him, Every man at first setteth forth good wine, 
and when men have well drank, then that which is worse: 
but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This begin- 
ning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee; and mani- 
fested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him." John 
ii, 1-11. 

AS the Lord was returning from Judea with 
six of His disciples, He passed through the 
■ town of Cana on the day of a marriage. The 
Blessed Virgin was among the invited guests, but 
Jesus and His companions had not been expected. 

41 



42 THE WORD OF GOD 

Hospitality and friendship, however, entitled them 
to be received, and they were accordingly welcomed. 

A wedding ceremony in the Orient was always the 
occasion of great celebration. The groom was feted 
as a king, and his bride was honored as a queen. 

The family that was celebrating the happy event 
on this occasion would not appear to have been a 
wealthy family, since seven additional guests ex- 
hausted the supply of wine. The first one to notice 
the scarcity of wine was the Blessed Virgin, and with 
solicitude for her hosts, she had recourse to Jesus. 
"They have no wine," 1 is her message to Him. For* 
although Jesus had not as yet performed any 
miracle, His mother knew that He had the power to 
do so. She did not say, "The wine is all gone," but, 
"They have no wine," since her concern was for the 
hosts and not the guests, and she wished to spare 
them from embarrassment and humiliation. 

There are many persons who do not understand 
the answer of Jesus, for the phrasing retains all the 
idiomatic coloring of the original Aramaic language. 
The word "woman," with which the Lord addressed 
His Mother, according to the usage of the term in 
our language, implies a notion of harshness. But 
"woman" in the Aramaic language, which Jesus 
spoke, is a gentle and affectionate greeting. When 
Jesus addressed the penitent Magdalene to console 
her, He said, "Woman, why weepest thou"; 2 when 
He spoke to the Samaritan woman to convert her He 
said, "Woman, believe Me"; 3 and to His own 



a John ii, 3. 
2 John xx, 13. 
8 John iv, 21. 



THE WORD OF GOD 43 

Mother, in a moment of sublime tenderness as He 
was dying on the cross, Jesus uttered those words of 
infinite love, "Woman, behold thy Son." 1 

The question, "What is that to Me and to thee?" 2 
also contains, in our language, the implication of a 
brusque refusal, but in the Aramaic language this 
phrase means, "Thus let it be, O Mother; the time 
to show My divinity to the world is not yet come." 
These words were as a prayer from the lips of the 
Saviour, for it is evident from what follows that the 
Blessed Virgin understood that her desire was 
already accomplished. "His Mother saith to the. 
waiters, 'Whatsoever He shall say to you, do ye.' " 3 

The evangelist who was present describes the 
scene for us. There were six great water jugs of 
stone, which were used for the ritual purifications, 
according to the Jewish custom. A great deal of the 
water had been used at the beginning of the feast, 
and Jesus had the crocks filled once more. "And 
Jesus saith to them, 'Draw out now, and carry to 
the chief steward of the feast* And they carried it. 
And when the chief steward had tasted the water 
made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the 
waiters knew who had drawn the water, the chief 
steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him, 
'Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and 
when men have well drunk, then that which is worse. 
But thou hast kept the good wine until now.' " 4 

Thus began the miracles of Jesus. The first link 

^ohn xix, 26. 
2 John ii, 4. 
3 John ii, 5. 
4 John ii, 8-10. 



44 THE WORD OF GOD 

of this wondrous chain of blessings was in the hands 
of Mary. 

Reflect, Christian soul, how great is the goodness 
of this Mother, who grants us favors even without 
being asked. Think how great must be her power 
when even Omnipotence obeys her. Thou hast loved 
her in the most beautiful years of thy life. As a 
little child, thy first prayers were lisped into her ears. 
Through Mary, thy Mother, thou hast obtained all 
graces. Return then, once more, to the feet of this 
ever-loving Mother, who longs to press thee to her 
heart. 

When at times thou art cast down with grief, 
when sorrows and cares weigh heavily upon thee, do 
not say nor think that thou hast no friend to help 
thee. Raise thy thoughts to thy Mother in Heaven, 
and she will turn towards thee. And at her glance, 
thou shalt be comforted. 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY 
THE CENTURION OF CAPHARNAUM 

"At that time, when Jesus was come down from the 
mountain, great multitudes followed Him; and behold a 
leper came and adored Him, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt 
Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus stretching forth 
His hand, touched him, saying, I will, be thou made clean: 
and forthwith his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith 
to him, See thou tell no man: but go, show thyself to the 
priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded for a 
testimony unto them. And when He had entered into Cap- 
harnaum, there came to Him a centurion beseeching Him, 
and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the 
palsy, and is grievously tormented. And Jesus saith to him, 
I will come and heal him. And the centurion making an- 
swer, said, Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter 
under my roof : but only say the word, and my servant shall 
be healed. For I also am a man subject to authority, hav- 
ing under me soldiers: and I say to this man, Go, and he 
goeth: and to another, Come, and he cometh: and to my 
servant, Do this, and he doth it. And Jesus hearing this, 
marvelled; and said to them that followed him, Amen I say 
to you, I have not found so great faith in Israel. And I say 
to you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and 
shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the king- 
dom of heaven; but the children of the kingdom shall be 
cast into the exterior darkness: there shall be weeping and 
gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said to the centurion, Go, 
and as thou hast believed, so be it done to thee; and the 
servant was healed at the same hour." Matthew viii, 1-13. 

45 



46 THE WORD OF GOD 

A FTER Jesus had cleansed the leper of his ter- 
/•% rible affliction, as is recounted in the first part 
*■ "*■ of today's gospel, He at once left the 
scene of the miracle and entered into Capharnaum. 
The commander of the garrison in that city was not 
an Israelite. He was, however, a man of good will 
towards the Jewish people, and had even given 
money for the erection of a synagogue. u For he 
loveth our nation, and he hath built us a syna- 
gogue." 1 When Jesus entered the city, the cen- 
turion came to Him, "beseeching Him and saying, 
'Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy and 
is grievously tormented.' And Jesus saith to him, 4 I 
w r ill come and heal him.' " 2 

The centurion did not anticipate such an answer. 
At the thought that Jesus would enter into his house, 
he was filled with emotion. He realized that he was 
a sinner and that he did not merit such considera- 
tion. "And the centurion making answer, said, 
'Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter un- 
der my roof; but only say the word and my servant 
shall be healed.' " 3 

These marvelous words of the centurion have been 
preserved by the Church in the prayers of her 
liturgy. Every day at the communion of the Mass, 
before he receives the sacred Body and Blood of 
Jesus Christ, the priest repeats the prayer of the 
centurion, — "O Lord, I am not worthy." 

The rude warrior, who had crossed the sea with 
the Roman armies, and had come to the Orient with 



a Luke vii, 5. 
*Matthew viii, 5-7. 
3 Matthew viii, 8. 



THE WORD OF GOD 47 

his mind saturated with the phantoms of paganism, 
had uttered the most sublime profession of faith 
which up to that time had been heard in Israel. 
"Which Jesus, hearing, marvelled, and turning 
about to the multitude that followed Him, He said, 
4 Amen, I say to you, I have not found so great faith, 
not even in Israel.' " 1 

We are not worthy to receive Jesus in the Blessed 
Sacrament, and yet Jesus wishes to enter into our 
souls. We should partake of the "Bread of Angels'' 
with all humility and with all love, — with humility, 
realizing our own nothingness, and with love, desir- 
ing to possess God Himself. "O Lord," prayed Saint 
Augustine, "that I may know Thee and know my- 
self, because knowing Thee, I shall understand how 
worthy of being loved Thou art, and knowing my- 
self, I shall realize how worthy to be despised I 



am. 



* 



Saint Francis de Sales, saintly Bishop of Geneva 
and learned doctor of the Church, has spoken of the 
consolations which a soul enjoys in the presence of 
Jesus. As a young priest, he settled in the town of 
Thonon to engage in the apostolic work of the min- 
istry and to devote himself especially to the con- 
version of heretics. He had a pyx of silver made, in 
which to carry the Blessed Sacrament to those who 
were sick. If anyone approached to speak to him 
when he was taking the Holy Eucharist to the sick 
and dying, Saint Francis would tell the person, "I 
carry the Lord of Lords ; we shall speak at another 



a Luke vii, 9. 



48 THE WORD OF GOD 

time." His heart throbbed with indescribable joy as 
he bore the God of love through the streets of the 
town, inspiring devotion in others by his own rev- 
erential affection. Through the Blessed Eucharist, 
he converted no less than seventy thousand Calvin- 
ists. Saint Vincent de Paul, who knew Saint Francis, 
once exclaimed, "O God, how good Thou must be, 
since the Bishop of Geneva is so good!" 



SEPTUAGESIMA SUNDAY 

"Septuagesima" is a Latin word which means seventy. The 
name is applied to this Sunday because it is the seventieth day 
before Easter. Several weeks before the beginning of Lent have 
been designated by the Church as weeks of special recollection 
and prayer. The first Sunday of this period is called Septua- 
gesima, the second Sexagesima, and the third Quinquagesima, in- 
dicating respectively, seventieth, sixtieth and fiftieth. The violet 
color of the vestments, the omission of the "Gloria" in the Mass, 
and other austere characteristics of the liturgy signify that this 
is a time for penance. 

THE LABORERS IN THE VINEYARD 

"At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: 
The kingdom of 'heaven is like to a householder, who went 
out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. 
And having agreed with the laborers for a penny a day, he 
sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third 
hour, he saw others standing in the market-place idle, and he 
said to them, Go you also into my vineyard, and I will give 
you what shall be just: and they went their way. And 
again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and 
did in like manner. But about the eleventh hour, he went 
out, and found others standing; and he saith to them, Why 
stand you here all the day idle? They say to him, Because 
no man hath hired us. He saith to them, Go you also into 
my vineyard. And when evening was come, the lord of the 
vineyard saith to his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them 
their hire, beginning from the last even to the first. When 
therefore they were come that came about the eleventh hour, 
they received every man a penny. But when the first also 

49 



50 THE WORD OF GOD 

came, they thought that they should receive more; and 
they also received every man a penny. And receiving it, 
they murmured against the master of the house, saying, These 
last have worked but one hour, and thou hast made them 
equal to us that have borne the burden of the day and the 
heats. But he answering, said to one of them, Friend, I do 
thee no wrong; didst thou not agree with me for a penny? 
Take what is thine, and go thy way: I will also give to this 
last even as to thee. Or, is it not lawful for me to do what 
I will? is thy eye evil, because I am good? So shall the 
last be first, and the first last. For many are called, but 
few are chosen." Matthew xx, 1-16. 

MEN take their places in this small world as 
workers who gather in the morning for 
employment. The voice of the Father of 
the great human family is heard in the midst of the 
turmoil of human affairs. God calls all men to labor 
in His vineyard, and He promises to all of them an 
eternal reward. The voice of God is heard in the 
silence of every soul. This voice is heard by some of 
us in the beginning of the day, in the very dawn of 
youth. Others hear his voice at the noontime of 
life, and finally, it sounds for some through the 
lengthening shadows of life's evening. But before 
the close of life's day, each one must have done his 
share in the Lord's vineyard, for if death overtakes 
one who is still languishing in idleness, that one shall 
not receive the reward. 

Quickly, therefore, Christian soul, take up thy 
work. Jesus calls thee today. It may be thy last in- 
vitation. The last hour of thy day may be nigh. 

This enlightening parable of Jesus teaches us all a 
useful lesson. It is especially encouraging for those 



THE WORD OF GOD 51 

of us who feel saddened at the thought of a past 
life of barren, wasted years. That we should grieve 
and weep is fitting, for the most fruitful years of our 
lives have perhaps been shrivelled up by ease and 
pleasure. These years are lost forever. However, 
we may yet trust in God. The workers who arrived 
at the vineyard late in the day received the same 
reward as the workers who arrived in the morning. 
The willingness with which we respond to the voice 
of the Master, the zeal and devotion with which we 
toil during the last hours of the day, can place us 
among the laborers who have worked since the 
dawn. The past, therefore, can be expiated. We 
are foolish if we despair. 

In the epistle of the Mass today, the Church pre- 
sents for our consideration the sublime words which 
Saint Paul addressed to the people of Corinth: 
"Know you not that they that run in the race, all run 
indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that 
you may obtain. And every one that striveth for the 
mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and 
they indeed that they may receive a corruptible 
crown; but we an incorruptable one." 1 



During this time of the year, the Church observes 
the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, 
which occurs forty days after the feast of the 
Nativity. For although Mary, the Mother of God, 
was more pure than the rays of the sun, she wished 
to submit herself as did other mothers to the usual 
rite of purification. The ceremony took place at the 

*I Corinthians ix, 24, 25. 



52 THE WORD OF GOD 

door of the Temple, and after it had been performed, 
she entered the holy place, trembling with emotion, 
to offer her Child to God. The offering of the first- 
born male child of a family was prescribed by the 
Law, and the oblation of this Child had been looked 
for and desired down through the centuries^ Mary 
knew this fact and knew it well. Overcoming her 
grief, with all her heart she madethis sublime sacri- 
fice. Then it was that Simeon making known the 
future to her announced that Jesus was a sign to be 
contradicted, told her of the agonies He would 
suffer, and that she, herself, incomparable mother, 
would become the Queen of Martyrs. 

The veil of the future providentially keeps from 
our knowledge the sorrows which we shall encoun- 
ter on our journey through life. If we foresaw them, 
the happiness of our lives might be diminished. The 
Blessed Virgin, however, had for thirty years before 
her mind the sword that would one day pierce her 
heart. 

O Christian soul to whom the burden of the 
cross, the discomfort of an hour, seems intolerable, 
reflect that thy Mother at the voice of the Lord was 
the first to go among the briers of the vineyard, and 
for thy good and for thy salvation she did not refuse 
to labor one single moment during the long, hard, 
trying day. 



SEXAGESIMA SUNDAY 
THE WORD OF GOD 

"At that time, when a very great multitude was gathered 
together and hastened out of the cities unto Him, He 
spoke by a similitude; the sower went out to sow his seed. 
And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside ; and it was trod- 
den down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other 
some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it 
withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some 
fell among thorns; and the thorns growing up with it, 
choked it. And other some fell upon good ground ; and being 
sprung up, yielded fruit a hundred fold. Saying these 
things, He cried out, he that hath ears to hear, let him 
hear. And His disciples asked Him what this parable 
might be. To whom He said, To you it is given to know 
the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to the rest in 
parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing may 
not understand. Now the parable is this: The seed is the 
word of God. And they by the wayside are they that 
hear ; then the devil cometh, and taketh the word out of their 
heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon 
the rock are they who when they hear, receive the word 
with joy; and these have no roots, for they believe for a 
while, and in time of temptation they fall away. And that 
which fell among thorns are they who have heard, and 
going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and 
pleasures of this life, and yield no fruit. But that on the good 
ground, are they who in a good and very good heart, hear- 
ing the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit in patience. 
Luke viii, 4-15. 

53 



54 THE WORD OF GOD 

THERE is no part of the field on which the 
fertile seed of the sower does not fall. There 
is no soul that does not hear the voice of 
God. No sinner is so hardened, no soul is so black, 
that the voice of God and the light of God's grace 
cannot reach. On the traveled highway or the lone- 
some, burning desert, in the wild depths of the for- 
est, the voice of God can be heard, and the light of 
grace can illumine. 

Great and strong is the power of this voice. "The 
voice of the Lord is upon the waters," says the 
Psalmist, "the God of majesty hath thundered. The 
Lord is upon many waters. The voice of the Lord 
is in power; the voice of the Lord in magnificence. 
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the 
Lord shall break the cedars of Libanus." * 

When God speaks in His power, His enemies 
succumb. Saul, the persecutor, is struck from his 
horse on the road to Damascus, and becomes Saint 
Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles. Magdalene and 
Augustine, after many failings, bow their heads and 
bewail their sins. 

Not always, however, does God show forth His 
majesty by force. Sometimes, and indeed more 
often, He speaks quietly to the soul by means of a 
gentle inspiration. The proud man does not deign 
to harken to this voice. He hears it, but he does not 
appreciate its import. There are other things which 
keep him busy. There are other cares and hopes 
which preoccupy him. He cherishes thoughts of 
power and influence which even if secured are but 
the disappearing phantoms of an hour. "O Father, 



^salm xxviii, 3-5. 



THE WORD OF GOD 55 

Lord of Heaven and earth, . . . Thou hast hid these 
things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed 
them to little ones." 1 

Therefore, Christian soul, become a child when 
thou speakest with God. Banish the thoughts and 
the cares of life, exclude the voices of men, and be 
alone with Jesus. "O blessed solitude," exclaimed 
Saint Jerome, "in which God speaks to the heart 
with the voice of a friend." 

In the evening, when the echo of the day's tur- 
moil has subsided, meditate for a few moments on 
some portion of the Holy Gospel. And just as 
Heaven infuses a drop of dew in the corollas of 
flowers, so will the Lord place within thy bosom 
the precious pearl of His consolation. 

While Elias prayed in the cave, he was inspired 
to climb to the summit of the mountain, for "behold 
the Lord passeth," 2 said a voice. A hurricane 
broke, uprooting the forests, but Elias did not leave 
the cave for the Lord does not speak in the tem- 
pest. And after the whirlwind, the rocks were 
shaken by an earthquake as if they would be 
wrenched apart, and yet the prophet did not move. 
The Lord does not manifest Himself in the earth- 
quake. Shortly afterwards, the sky glowed with the 
color of fire, and the brightness pierced the depths of 
the cavern. As far as the eye could reach, the flames 
were raging. And Elias spoke thus within himself, 
"The Lord is not in the fire." 3 But when the fire 
was over and everything became serene and calm, 



Matthew xi, 25. 
2 III Kings xix, 11. 
3 III Kings xix, 12. 



56 THE WORD OF GOD 

when he heard the murmur of a gentle breeze as 
light as a whisper, the prophet approached the open- 
ing of the cave, "covered his face with his mantle," * 
prostrated himself in adoration, and then God spoke 
to him. 

Jesus passes unseen near us. His invitation is as 
silent and mysterious as a breath of air. Let the tem- 
pest storm without, O Christian, let the world be 
troubled, and let passions rage, but thou within thy- 
self preserve thy solitude and practise recollection. 
The word of God will come to thee, the words of 
life will sound in thine ears. 



'Ill Kings xix, 13, 



QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY 
THE BLIND MAN OF JERICHO 

"At that time, Jesus took unto Him the twelve, and said 
to them, Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall 
be accomplished which were written by the prophets con- 
cerning the Son of man: for He shall Be delivered to the 
Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon ; 
and after they have scourged Him, they will put Him to 
death; and the third day He shall rise again. And they 
understood none of these things, and this word was hid from 
them, and they understood not the things that were said. 
Now it came to pass, when He drew nigh to Jericho, that 
a certain blind man sat by the wayside, begging. And when 
he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this 
meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was 
passing by. And he cried out, saying, Jesus, Son of David, 
have mercy on me. And they that went before, rebuked 
him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out much 
more, Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus standing, 
commanded him to be brought unto Him: and when he 
was come near, He asked him, saying, What wilt thou that 
I do to thee? But he said, Lord, that I may see. And 
Jesus said to him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made 
thee whole. And immediately he saw, and followed Him, 
glorifying God: and all the people when they saw it, gave 
praise to God." Luke xviii, 31-43. 

IT was the seventh day of the month of Nisan, 
one week before the Passion. Jesus and His 
disciples were passing over the great caravan 
highroad which extended from the Jordan up 

$7 



58 THE WORD OF GOD 

towards the Holy City. Directly before them was 
the city of Jericho, the city of palms and of roses. 

Not far from the gate of the city, u a certain blind 
man sat by the wayside, begging. And when he 
heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this 
meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth 
was passing by. And he cried out, saying, 'Jesus, 
Son of David, have mercy on me.' And they that 
went before rebuked him, that he should hold his 
peace : but he cried out much more, 'Son of David, 
have mercy on me.' And Jesus standing, com- 
manded him to be brought unto Him. And when he 
was come near, He asked him, saying, 'What wilt 
thou that I do to thee?' But he said, 'Lord, that I 
may see.' " * It is not alms for which he begs, nor is 
it bread that he desires. Through the darkness which 
surrounds him, he has found the way to light. The 
blind man has found Him Who alone can assuage 
his long enduring grief, and the sound of the 
friendly voice has already soothed his troubled 
heart. God Himself has come to heal him and to 
save him. Centuries before this miracle, Isaias the 
prophet had proclaimed, "Then shall the eyes of the 
blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be 
unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, 
and the tongue of the dumb shall be free." 2 

The beggar, with arms outstretched, with his up- 
lifted eyes wandering in blindness, trembled with 
emotion, prostrate at the feet of Jesus. "And Jesus 
said to him, 'Receive thy sight, thy faith hath made 
thee whole.' And immediately he saw, and followed 

^uke xviii, 35-41. 
2 Isaias xxxv, 5, 6. 



THE WORD OF GOD 59 

Him, glorifying God. And all the people when they 
saw it gave praise to God." 1 The eyes that had been 
lost in darkness were suddenly opened to the splen- 
dor of light. And the first look of the blind man was 
into the gentle loving eyes of his Saviour. 

We, too, should repeat the prayer of the blind 
man, "Lord, that I may see." 2 The shadows of 
darkness are also about us. 

Saint Gregory the Great tells us that we should 
not ask God for riches nor for honors, both of which 
are fleeting, but instead we should ask for light. 

Today the world is plunged in darkness. Many 
men have left the straight and narrow pathway 
which leads to Heaven and happiness, and, instead, 
they are hastening onward to perdition. They are in 
the power of Satan, the enemy of light. They have 
abandoned eternal truth, they have spurned eternal 
light. They are desperately clinging to and craving 
for the things which are only deceptions. 

We must pray for these poor, blind brothers of 
ours, that they may open their eyes to the light. We 
must also tremble for ourselves, for we are all in 
danger. 

O Lord, Who hast heard the prayer of the blind 
man, harken also to our pleadings. Free Thy chil- 
dren from the bonds of sin ! Deliver them from the 
powers of darkness, and bring them to the enjoy- 
ment of the light and glory of Heaven. 

^uke xviii, 42 43. 
2 Luke xviii, 41. 



FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN LATERAN 

Following the example of Jesus, Who for forty days fasted in 
the desert, the Church has instituted forty days of penance, in 
order to prepare the faithful for the festival of Easter, on which 
day they should rise to a holy life with the triumphant Saviour. 
The season of Lent, until recent centuries, was considered as a 
"Truce of God." During this time, all Christian peoples devoted 
themselves to the practice of mortification and to religious in- 
struction. The Pope, accompanied by the clergy and the laity, 
visited a different Church each day during Lent. These Churches 
were known as "Stations," or centres of devotion for particular 
days. The Church begins this holy season by putting ashes on 
the foreheads of her children, and inviting them to meditate on 
death. 

PENANCE 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, When you fast, 
be not as the hypocrites, sad. For they disfigure their 
faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Amen, I say 
to you, they have received their reward. But thou, when 
thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash thy face; that thou 
appear not to men to fast, but to thy Father Who is in 
secret, and thy Father, who seeth in secret, will repay 
thee. Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth, where 
the rust and moth consume, and where thieves break through 
and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in Heaven, 
where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where 
thieves do not break through nor steal. For where thy 
treasure is, there is thy heart also." Matthew vi, 16-21. 
(Gospel in the Mass of Ash Wednesday.) 

60 



THE WORD OF GOD 61 

AT the beginning of Lent, the Church advises 
/A and exhorts each of her children, saying: 
■* "Let not your penance be vain and external, 
as that of the Pharisees, but let it rather be inspired 
by a deep and sincere grief for your offences; do 
not seek to obtain the praise of men, but rather the 
pardon of God. Remember the words of the 
prophet, 'Now, therefore, saith the Lord: Be con- 
verted to Me with all your heart, in fasting and in 
weeping and in mourning. And rend your hearts 
and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your 
God; for He is gracious and merciful. . . . Blow the 
trumpet in Sion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assem- 
bly, gather together the people, sanctify the Church, 
assemble the ancients, gather together the little 
ones. . • . Between the porch and the altar, the 
priests, the Lord's ministers, shall weep and shall 
say: Spare, O Lord, spare Thy people.' " 1 

All during the year the Christian must take up 
his cross and follow Jesus, but during this time, 
the practice of mortification becomes collective. It 
is the whole Church which unites in penance and 
in prayer. The words and the symbols of the liturgy 
speak of nothing else. She clothes herself with the 
colors of humility; she subdued the sound of the 
organ; she prolongs her psalmody; her very chants 
seem grief-laden. Daily pilgrimages are made by 
the faithful to the ancient basilicas which contain 
the tombs of the martyrs. In private life, frugality 
at table is practised; worldly amusements, marriage 
solemnities and theatres are piously avoided, because 

>el ii, 12-17. 



62 THE WORD OF GOD 

these are the days of the soul, the acceptable time 
for repentance and salvation. 

"If your sin is great," says Saint Ambrose, "if it 
seems to you impossible to wash it away with your 
tears, let the Church, your mother, weep for you, 
and so peace will again be yours. Return, therefore, 
to her feet, partake of her sacraments, and in con- 
trition pray and weep with her." 

Do not delay, for life is short. The priest who 
has signed you with ashes has told you in the name 
of God, "Remember, man, that thou art dust, and 
into dust thou shalt return." And he meant, — set not 
your heart on the vain things of this world, because 
death quickly comes and snatches them away. En- 
deavor, rather, to store up in Heaven a treasure of 
merit for the life which shall never end. In 
Heaven, therefore, are your true blessings. There 
let your heart be also. 



One of the most noted examples of repentance is 
given to us by Saint Augustine. Opening his eyes on 
the vanities of the world at the age of thirty, he con- 
secrated the remainder of his life to God's glory, in 
grief for his own sins. This penance lasted for 
forty-six years. In his last illness, feeling his 
strength ebbing away, he asked for his favorite 
prayer book, the Penitential Psalms. Propping 
them up on his bed against the wall, he continually 
held them in front of him, reading and meditating 
on them with great abundance of tears up to the 
moment of death. He has left us two counsels, 
which, after fifteen centuries, still thrill us. The 



THE WORD OF GOD 63 

first is the following: "There is no age in man that 
does not hurry toward the end. The years that 
come are not added, but subtracted." The other 
is that which he frequently repeated to his friends : 
"No Christian, even though he be a saint, should 
leave this world without having performed worthy 
penance." 



SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY IN 

DOMNICA 

THE PRODIGAL SON 

"At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and scribes 
this parable: a certain man had two sons; and the younger 
of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of 
substance that falleth to me: and he divided unto them his 
substance. And not many days after, the younger son gath- 
ering all together, went abroad into a far country, and there 
wasted his substance, living riotously. And after he had 
spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country, and 
he began to be in want; and he went, and cleaved to one 
of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his 
farm to feed swine ; and he would fain have filled his belly 
with the husks the swine did eat, and no man gave unto 
him. And returning to himself, he said, How many hired 
servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here 
perish with hunger ? I will arise, and will go to my father, 
and say to him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and 
before thee : I am not now worthy to be called thy son, make 
me as one of thy hired servants. And rising up, he came 
to his father : and when he was yet a great way off, his father 
saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to 
him fell upon his neck and kissed him; and the son said to 
him, Father, I have sinned against Heaven, and before thee, 
I am not now worthy to be called thy son. And the 
father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the first 

64 



THE WORD OF GOD 65 

robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and 
shoes on his feet; bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, 
and let us eat and make merry: because this my son was 
dead, and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found. 
And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in 
the field; and when he came, and drew nigh to the house, 
he heard music and dancing: and he called one of the serv- 
ants, and asked what these things meant. And he said 
to him, Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the 
fatted calf, because he hath received him safe. And he was 
angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming 
out, began to entreat him: and he answering, said to his 
father, Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I 
have never transgressed thy commandment, and yet thou 
hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends. 
But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his 
substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted 
calf. But he said to him, Son, thou art always with me, 
and all I have is thine; but it was fit that we should make 
merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead, and is 
come to life again; he was lost, and is found." Luke xv, 
1 1-32. (Gospel in the Mass of Saturday in the second week 
of Lent.) 

IN this parable is the history of all conversions, 
and, perhaps, our own history. 
God would have been able to take away His 
gifts, so many times abused by us, — to take away the 
light from our eyes, to take even our life, in order 
to prevent us from offending Him; but still He 
has allowed us to live on. We have perhaps wan- 
dered far from home, deluded by a foolish dream, 
and quickly that most rapacious of tyrants, the 
devil, has become our master. We have thus lost 
peace and happiness, the true riches of the soul, and 



66 THE WORD OF GOD 

once in the power of the evil one, we are treated 
with scorn and contempt 

And then, in the depths of our hearts is born a 
great remorse. The thought of our lost happiness 
is before us, the pleasant memory of our Father's 
home. Invitations to return torture our hearts. 
"Father," we say to Him, "we have sinned. We 
are no longer worthy to be called Thy sons. Re- 
ceive us as Thy hired servants. We wish to be 
with Thee!" 

And we begin our journey back. O blessed 
footsteps towards the house of God! With every 
one, the heart thrills and exults with joy. 

Who can describe the emotion of the sinner when 
he enters once more into the Church of his early 
years, the refuge of peace? Jesus, his Lord, comes 
with open arms to meet him, and the prodigal, worn 
and weakened, in one supreme burst of repentance, 
throws himself into those arms. "Father, I have 
sinned against Heaven and before Thee; I am no 
longer worthy of the name of son." A lump rises 
in his throat, and he bursts into tears. These are 
the sublime moments of conversion. The tears of 
the son mingle with the tears of the Father in one 
and the same grief. "How often have I grieved," 
exclaimed the converted Augustine, "how often have 
I wept, O Lord, in Thy house, deeply moved by the 
voices of Thy Church! More happy is one lone 
instant with Thee than a thousand days in the com- 
panionship of sinners." 

* * * 

A celebrated preacher, speaking to a congrega- 
tion of men, thus concluded his discourse: "I ask 



THE WORD OF GOD 67 

you this night to pass one moment in silence and re- 
flection." Jesus makes the same request of us. If 
there is any one who is still far from home, bound 
by the chains of the tyrant, let that one know that 
this parable of love, of tenderness and of pardon, 
is intended for him. 

God came down from Heaven not to seek the 
just, but sinners. Return, O son, to His arms! 
Break the last fetters and return. You will become 
the object of all His solicitude, — yes, and of all His 
affection, and there will be more joy in Heaven at 
your return than for ninety-nine just who need not 
penance. 

FEAST OF ST. JOSEPH 

"At that time, an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to 
Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and His mother, 
and fly into Egypt; and be there until I tell thee: for it 
will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy 
Him. Who arose, and took the child and His mother by 
night, and- retired into Egypt ; and He was there until the 
death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which the Lord 
spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called 
My Son." Matthew ii, 13-15. 

FROM this short narrative, we all understand 
how necessary it was to the Mother of God, 
a simple virgin of Galilee, to have the guar- 
dianship of a man. God, Who had chosen her in 
preference to all creatures, Who had filled her with 
grace, preserving her from original sin and bless- 
ing her among all women, wished that she should 
have for her defence and for her comfort in the 
perilous hours of persecution, in the straits of pov- 



68 THE WORD OF GOD 

erty and of exile, not angels from Heaven, not the 
great and powerful of the earth, but a poor, humble 
workman of Nazareth by the name of Joseph. 
The Gospel, which is the voice of God, has revealed 
to us in one word the sublime sanctity of this man 
by calling him "just." And, certainly, only to a 
saint of consummate perfection could God entrust 
the most precious treasures that He had on earth, 
the Virgin of Virgins and the Infant Jesus. Mag- 
nificent are the praises of the liturgy. "The Lord 
God of your fathers will come to aid you. The 
Omnipotent One will bless you with the blessings 
of Heaven and earth." 

Joseph is the head of the little family. He is the 
one who receives the message from the angel to go 
into Egypt. He takes the Infant in his arms and 
presses Him to his bosom. And with Mary, the 
best, the sweetest, and the most sorrowful of 
mothers, he begins his journey into exile. 

In every path lurks, perhaps, the enemy in am- 
bush; over every step falls the shadow of death. 
In the distance the hurricane is raging. Herod, 
the fierce tyrant, fearing that a pretender to his 
throne has been born, has ordered the slaughter of 
all male children in Bethlehem under two years of 
age. The mothers, stricken to the heart, cry and 
wail, but in vain. The prophet Jeremias had 
already predicted this inconsolable mourning, 
when every crib would be stained with the blood of 
the most innocent. One child, alone, escaped the 
sword, the One who, under the protection of Jos- 
eph, is being brought into Egypt, the One who is 
the True King, the Son of David, the Son of the 



THE WORD OF GOD 69 

Most High. God has reserved for Him a more 
sublime sacrifice. 

When we are burdened with grief and tortured 
with the anguish of this vale of tears, when we suffer 
from the persecution of the wicked who cannot 
bear the reproof of our virtues, we should call 
to our minds the figure of Joseph, grief-stricken and 
tormented Joseph, persecuted through Jesus and 
through Mary. We shall be guided and consoled 
by this example; we shall be encouraged and in- 
spired by his devotion. 

Only the one who loves God and has his heart 
centered on eternal good understands the supreme 
comfort of resignation and the sweetness of suffer- 
ing. "Your sorrow shall be turned into joy," pro- 
claims Jesus, "and your joy no man shall take from 
you." * With these words, Jesus has dried all our 

tears. 

* * * 

Saint Teresa, a most fervent soul, was extremely 
devoted to the holy patriarch. "I do not know," 
she was accustomed to repeat, "how it is possible to 
think of the Queen of Angels, so fatigued during the 
infancy of Jesus, without thanking Saint Joseph for 
all the assistance that he gave during that time to the 
mother and the Son." "And," she added, "if I tell 
you the spiritual and temporal favors I have re- 
ceived from God through his intercession, it would 
make you marvel. I have never known anyone who 
professed special devotion to him who did not make 
visible progress towards perfection every day. For 

Mohn xvi, 20, 22. 



70 THE WORD OF GOD 

many years, on his feast day, I asked him a favor, 
and my prayer was always answered." 

The great Pope Pious IX declared Saint Joseph 
the patron of the universal Church, and under his 
paternal guidance the Church will find, as did the 
Infant Jesus, refuge and protection in persecution. 

Every pious soul that fears the last battle may 
with great confidence have recourse to Saint Joseph 
to obtain the grace of a happy death through his 
intercession, to die like Saint Joseph, in the arms of 
Jesus and Mary. 



THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT LAWRENCE 
OUTSIDE THE WALLS OF ROME 

THE ANNUNCIATION 

"At that time the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a 
city of Galilee, called Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a 
man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and 
the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come 
in, said unto her : Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee ; 
blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was 
troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what man- 
ner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her, 
Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. 
Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring 
forth a son ; and thou shalt call His name Jesus. He shall 
be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High, and 
the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of David His 
father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. 
And of His kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary 
said to the angel, How shall this be done, because I know 
not man ? And the angel answering said to her, The Holy 
Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Most 
High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy 
which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. 
And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a 
son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her 
that is called barren: because no word shall be impossible 
with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the 
Lord, be it done to me according to thy word," Luke i, 

71 



12 THE WORD OF GOD 

26-38. (Gospel in the Mass of the Feast of the Annuncia- 
tion, March 25th.) 

THE angel of the Lord did not appear to the 
powerful rulers of Rome, nor to the wise 
philosophers of Greece, but to a simple vir- 
gin, of whom all the world was ignorant. Humble 
and sincere, her heart absorbed in the ecstasy of 
prayer, she is the most holy creature of God. The 
inspired greeting with which the angel hailed her in 
the name of the Lord has been the wonder of the 
world. From the unhappy day of the first sin, every 
son of Adam comes into the world with the stain of 
sin on his soul, under the weight of condemnation, a 
slave of the devil. Mary, alone, was preserved 
from this sentence, — "Hail, full of grace, the Lord 
is with thee; blessed art thou among women." The 
angel, who for the first time thus invoked her, knew 
the reason for such greetings. Mary is to be the 
mother of the Saviour, the mother of God. And 
yet, the Blessed Virgin does not rejoice. At the 
unusual salutation, she becomes thoughtful and does 
not answer. Then, when the announcement of the 
sublime dignity has sounded in the heavens, she bows 
her head, and calls herself the handmaid of the 
Lord. At that moment, Mary became associated 
by God with the work of the redemption as the 
mother of Jesus, and, therefore, as the refuge of 
all sinners. Was there ever a soul, no matter how 
derelict, who, having recourse to her was not con- 
soled? 

Every Christian, from his earliest years, knows 
the loving invocation that we call the "Hail Mary." 



THE WORD OF GOD 73 

We, therefore, must tell those who do not pray how 
much sweetness there is in that prayer. It is the 
invocation which Heaven began and which the 
Church has happily finished, — "Holy Mary, Mother 
of God !" Is it possible for the Son not to be heard 
by the mother? Pray, therefore, O Mother of God, 
for us sinners, now, without any limit of time, in 
all moments of this continuous battle, and more espe- 
cially in the hour of our death. 



A non-Catholic child six years of age, who had 
learned the u Hail Mary" from his small Catholic 
companions, repeated it to his mother. She was 
very angry with him and forbade him to say it again. 
A few years later, he opened by chance the Gospel 
of Saint Luke, and was much surprised to find in 
the Book of Truth the Catholic's prayer spoken by 
an angel. When he was thirteen, he read the 
"Magnificat" in the same Gospel and was very much 
impressed with the words of the Virgin, "all gen- 
erations shall call me blessed." 1 He asked his 
mother why, therefore, non-Catholics refused to call 
Mary "blessed," and she was unable to answer. 

Thus, truth made progress in his heart. When 
he became of age, he was converted to the Catholic 
Church, and was ordained a priest. His name was 
Father Tuchelf, the chaplain of the Church of Our 
Lady of Victory in Paris, in the second half of the 
last century. He himself told the story of his con- 
version at the Catholic Congress of Lille. The 
in i i 

^uke i, 48. 



74 THE WORD OF GOD 

"Hail Mary" was for him the first link in that sweet 
chain of graces which brought him to God. 

Three times in the day, — in the morning, at noon- 
time, and in the evening, — the church bells ring. 
They sound in our ears as the voices of angels soft- 
ening our mortal trials. All the Catholic world at 
that time recites the "Angelus." No one should 
remain deaf to the invitation ; no one should forget 
to pray. 

"Remember, son," said Saint Bonaventure, "that 
the Virgin invariably answers you with a favor when 
you greet her with a 4 Hail Mary.' " 



FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS IN 

JERUSALEM 

THE RICH MAN 

"At that time, Jesus said to Pharisees, There was a 
certain rich man, who was clothed in purple and fine linen, 
and feasted sumptuously every day. And there was a cer- 
tain beggar, named Lazarus, who lay at his gate full of 
sores; desiring to be filled with the crumbs that fell from 
the rich man's table: and no one did give him: moreover, 
the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass 
that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into 
Abraham's bosom. And the rich man also died, and 
he was buried in hell. And lifting up his eyes, when 
he was in torments, he saw Abraham afar off, and Laza- 
rus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abra- 
ham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip 
the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue; for I am 
tormented in this flame. And Abraham said to him, Son, 
remember that thou didst receive good things in thy life- 
time, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is com- 
forted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, be- 
tween us and you there is fixed a great chaos: so that they 
who would pass from hence to you, cannot, nor from thence 
come hither. And he said; Then, father, I beseech thee 
that thou wouldst send him to my father's house, for I 
have five brethren, that he may testify unto them, lest they 
also come into this place of torments. And Abraham said 
to him, They have Moses and the prophets: let them hear 

75 



76 THE WORD OF GOD 

them. But he said, No, father Abraham, but if one shall 
go to them from the dead, they will do penance. And he 
said to him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither 
will they believe if one rose again from the dead." Luke 
xvi, 19-31. (Gospel in the Mass of Thursday in the sec- 
ond week of Lent.) 

IN this parable, the Saviour has revealed the folly 
of the maxims of the world in the light of eter- 
nity. Men admire and envy the rich lord who 
is surrounded by affluence, who passes his youth in 
dissipation with his friends, tasting of every pleas- 
ure, smothering by his indulgence the voice of con- 
science. The poor beggar knocks at his door in the 
name of God, asking for the crumbs that fall from 
his table. He is coldly refused and driven away, 
when even the dogs have pity on him. What per- 
son of the world would consider the beggar more 
happy than the one who spurned him? But Jesus 
has said, "Woe to you that are rich; for you have 
your consolation." 1 "Blessed are ye poor, for 
yours is the kingdom of God." 2 Was it possible 
to overturn more completely worldly ideals? 

The happiness of the world is a snare. "You know 
the theatre," said Saint John Chrysostum, "and 
among the players you see one who takes the part 
of a philosopher, another that of a doctor, a third 
the role of a king. In the illusion of the moment, you 
think only of appearances and enjoy the perform- 
ance, but when the curtain falls and the comedy is 
over, all the players take off their costumes and en- 

^uke vi, 24. 
2 Luke vi, 20. 



THE WORD OF GOD 77 

ter once more into real life. The king, the doctor 
and the philosopher go back to selling grapes and 
figs. And so it is with the rich man in this world. 
Do not regard him as really rich; do not consider 
him truly happy. He has only the mask of riches 
and of happiness. When the curtain falls, and 
death comes, he is despoiled of everything, even to 
the last penny, the last thread of purple leaving him 
only with the works that he has done. The sen- 
tence which God pronounces on him will never end. 
Will the rich man, condemned, be able to rise from 
the deep abyss where he is lying, to ascend above, 
where reign the poor of Christ? No, never. He 
who denied the starving Lazarus a crumb of bread 
can never obtain a drop of water in the fire that 
now devours him." 

Therefore, O Christian, in those things that you 
are wont to call the injustices of life, where the bad 
rejoice and the good suffer, do not stop at appear- 
ances, but raise your thoughts to eternity. The max- 
ims of the world are lies. The word of God is 
truth. Have faith. While you suffer with resig- 
nation the poverty and the trials of these short days, 
you are already enriching yourself with the wealth 
and happiness that are real, because yours is the 
kingdom of Heaven. 

Another reason for consolation is this: the Cal- 
vary which you are mounting has been made easy by 
the suffering of the Saviour. No cross will ever be 
as heavy as that which He carried for love of us. 

This example of Jesus so moved Saint Francis of 
Assisi that he wished for love of Christ to give up 
every possession to wed himself as he said, "to 



78 THE WORD OF GOD 

sister Poverty." He loved suffering as the world 
loves pleasures. The author of "The Little 
Flowers" has expressed this sentiment in a remark- 
able way. One day, Brother Leo asked Saint 
Francis, "Father, I pray you, from the viewpoint 
of God tell me where is perfect happiness." And 
Saint Francis answered, "When we return home, 
drenched by the rain, trembling with cold, and suf- 
fering from hunger, and when we knock at the door 
and the porter angrily tells us, 'Go away, you are 
two thieves,' and so makes us remain outside in the 
snow and water, cold and hungry, then if we bear all 
these rebuffs patiently and with joy, thinking of the 
sufferings of the Blessed Saviour, and if we endure 
these trials for love of Him, then, O Brother Leo, 
write down that here, and in this, is perfect 
happiness." 



PASSION SUNDAY 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN THE 

VATICAN 

Yesterday evening, the Church mournfully veiled the images 
of Christ and the saints, in memory of the fact that the Saviour 
hid Himself from the Jews who came to stone Him, and went out 
of the temple. And with the passing of the Master's glory, that of 
the disciples is also eclipsed. The ceremonies of these days prepare 
for Holy Week, because they are accompanied with solemn rites 
expressive of the highest mysteries of the Redemption. 

JESUS HIDES HIMSELF 

"At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews, 
Which of you shall convince Me of sin? If I say the 
truth to you, why do you not believe Me? He that is of 
God, heareth the words of God. Therefore you hear them 
not, because you are not of God. The Jews therefore an- 
swered and said to Him, Do not we say well, that Thou 
art a Samaritan (a heretic), and hast a devil? Jesus 
answered, I have not a devil; but I honor My father, and 
you have dishonored Me. But I seek not My own glory; 
there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Amen, amen, I say 
to you, If any man keep My word, he shall not see death 
for ever. The Jews therefore said, Now we know that 
Thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets ; and 
Thou sayest, If any man keep My word, he shall not taste 
death for ever. Art Thou greater than our father Abra- 
ham, who is dead ? and the prophets are dead. Whom dost 
Thou make Thyself? Jesus answered, If I glorify Myself, 
My glory is nothing (to you). It is My Father that glori- 

79 



80 THE WORD OF GOD 

fieth Me, of Whom you say that He is your God. And 
you have not known Him; but I know Him. And if I 
shall say that I know Him not, I shall be like to you, a liar. 
But I do know Him, and do keep His word. Abraham 
your father rejoiced that he might see My day: he saw it, 
and was glad. The Jews therefore said to Him, Thou art 
not yet fifty years old, and hast Thou seen Abraham ? Jesus 
said to them, Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham 
was made, I am. They took up stones therefore to cast 
at Him; but Jesus hid Himself, and went out of the temple." 
John viii, 46-59. 

IN this dialogue, the struggle between light and 
darkness, between good and evil, is vividly 
described. This struggle rages in the silence of 
every soul. The voice of conscience asks com- 
pliance with God's law; the voice of passion storms 
against it. How many are the subtle deceits of the 
tempter to ensnare us in his net and draw us away 
from duty ! If we have not strength to oppose reso- 
lutely the first advances of the enemy, we shall fall 
gradually into more serious errors. And it is pos- 
sible for us to fall so far as even to hate good and 
spurn God. 

This darkening of the intellect is the most terrible 
punishment which can possibly befall a sinner. It 
is this punishment which the Gospel has expressed 
with one single phrase: u Jesus hid Himself." 

On the occasion of the first sin, there is remorse, 
serious sometimes, and harrowing, capable of em- 
bittering an existence. This remorse which is the 
first punishment of the sinner, is also a ray of light, 
a beginning for rising again. But when the bonds 
of sin grow more heavy, when the sin becomes a 



THE WORD OF GOD 81 

habit, the voice of Jesus becomes stifled, the con- 
science sleeps, and the sinner is at ease in his sin. 
Having reached the bottom of the abyss, sacred 
Scripture tells us that he scorns good, and thus the 
sinner continues smiling to the meeting with Death. 
There can be no blindness more terrifying than this. 
Do not say, therefore, O sinful man, "I have sinned, 
and no evil has come to me." Know that God is 
slow in retribution. For each one He has estab- 
lished a period of toleration, beyond which He with- 
draws His mercy, and substitutes justice in its place. 
When the tempter tells you, therefore, that you will 
repent tomorrow, ask him with Saint Augustine, "If 
tomorrow, why not today?" Jesus today is pass- 
ing; tomorrow, possibly, He may not return; and if 
He does not return ! It is folly to throw yourself 
into a well hoping that a rescuer will come. It is 
absurd to take poison on the pretext that there is an 
antidote. 

In the fifth chapter of the prophecy of Daniel, 
there is a dramatic narration of the punishment 
with which God surprised a sinner sleeping in his 
sins. King Baltasar, one of the persecutors of the 
true religion, gave a wondrous banquet to a 
thousand of his nobles. Being already drunk 
with wine, he ordered that the precious chalices 
of gold and silver stolen from the Temple of 
Jerusalem should be brought into the hall that 
they might drink toasts to his idols. At that 
very moment there appeared a mysterious figure, 
as of a man's hand, writing upon the wall of the 
royal chamber. The king saw it and grew pale. His 
knees trembled, his heart grew cold with terror. He 



82 THE WORD OF GOD 

summoned Daniel, and asked him to explain the 
meaning of the writing, promising him great gifts 
in reward. And the prophet made this answer: 
"Thy rewards be to thyself, and the gifts of thy 
house give to another : but the writing I will read to 
thee, O king, and show thee the interpretation 
thereof. O king, the most high God gave to Na- 
buchodonosar, thy father, a kingdom, and greatness 
and glory and honor. But when his heart was lifted 
up and his spirit hardened unto pride, he was put 
down from the throne of his kingdom, and his glory 
was taken away. Thou also his son, O Baltasar, 
hast not humbled thy heart, whereas thou knewest 
all these things; but hast lifted thyself up against 
the Lord of Heaven . . . and the God Who hath thy 
breath in His hand. And this is the writing that is 
written : 'God hath numbered thy kingdom, and hath 
finished it' . . . 'thou art weighed in the balance and 
art found wanting;' . . . 'thy kingdom is divided 
and is given to the Medes and Persians.' " 1 

The sacred book adds this terse note : "The same 
night, Baltasar, the Chaldean king, was slain." 2 

Daniel v, 17-28. 
2 Daniel v, 30. 



HOLY WEEK 
PALM SUNDAY 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN LATERAN 

The triumphal entrance of the gentle King into Jerusalem is 
commemorated today. Processions take place in all the churches. 
Joyful hosannas are sung, and branches of blessed palm are car- 
ried in the hands of the participants as a sign of their faith in 
Christ, and as a harbinger of His future glory. The door of the 
church opens at the touch of the processional cross, signifying that 
to the Church militant, as to the victorious Christ, are opened by 
virtue of the cross the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem. During 
the Mass, the dramatic story of the sufferings and death of the 
Saviour is read to the assembled faithful. This part of the gospel 
is known as the "Passion," and in solemn Masses it is sung by 
three deacons, taking the part of the narrator, Christ and the 
synagogue. 

HOLY THURSDAY 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN LATERAN 

The white color of the vestments, the "Gloria" in the Mass, 
the notes of the organ, and the sound of the bells, indicate a 
parenthesis of joy in this sorrowful week. The Church commemo- 
rates the institution of the Blessed Sacrament, and in honor of this 
feast day all the faithful children of the Church should receive 
Holy Communion. 

After the singing of the "Gloria in Excelsis," the bells are not 
sounded until the Mass on Saturday. There is a note of sorrow 
throughout all the liturgy. The kiss of peace is not given, because 
Jesus was betrayed by a kiss. 

In the cathedral churches, the bishops bless the oil of the sick, 

83 



84 THE WORD OF GOD 

the oil of the catechumens and chrism. After the Mass, the Sacred 
Host is borne in procession to an altar resplendent with lights. 
This altar of exposition is improperly called the "sepulchre." The 
other altars are entirely stripped, in token of desolation. 

GOOD FRIDAY 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS IN 

JERUSALEM 

The Church is in mourning. After the reading of the prophe- 
cies and the singing of the Passion, the priest, in the name of the 
Church, prays for all, even the Church's enemies. At the singing 
of the "Improperia," or paternal reproaches of the Saviour to the 
ungrateful people, the adoration of the cross takes place. At the 
end of this ceremony, the celebrant consumes the Host, consecrated 
the day before. Because of this previous consecration, the Mass 
is called the Mass of the Presanctified. 

HOLY SATURDAY 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN LATERAN 

New fire kindled from flint is blessed outside of the church. 
The spark which flashes out represents Christ emerging from the 
sepulchre of rock outside of the walls of Jerusalem. Incense is 
also blessed, symbolizing the sweet spices sprinkled on the body 
of the Saviour. The triple candle represents the Trinity, and the 
paschal candle, lighted and adorned with five grains of blessed 
incense in the form of a cross, is an image of the Risen Christ 
with His glorious wounds. The deacon proclaims the Resurrec- 
tion in the marvelous chant of the "Exultet." At the baptistery 
the celebrant blesses the water for the sacrament of baptism, for 
the spiritual rebirth which is a fruit of the Resurrection. Follow- 
ing this ceremony, the Church advocates the blessing of homes, 
invoking on those dwelling therein the peace of Easter. 

THE PASSION 

"Pilate therefore went into the hall again, and called 
Jesus, and said to Him, Art Thou the King of the Jews? 



THE WORD OF GOD 85 

Jesus answered, sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have 
others told it thee of Me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? 
Thy own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee 
up to me; what hast Thou done? Jesus answered, My 
kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of 
this world, My servants would certainly strive that I should 
not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not 
from hence. Pilate therefore said to Him, Art thou a King 
then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest, that I am a King. For 
this was I born, and for this came I into the world ; that I 
should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of 
the truth, heareth My voice. Pilate saith to Him, What 
is truth ? And when he had said this, he went out again to 
the Jews, and saith to them, I find no cause in Him. But 
you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the 
pasch: will you therefore that I release unto you the King 
of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying, Not this 
man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. Then 
therefore Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the 
soldiers platting a crown of thorns, put it upon His head; 
and they put on Him a purple garment. And they came 
to Him, and said, Hail, King of the Jews: and they gave 
Him blows. Pilate therefore went forth again, and said 
to them, Behold, I bring Him forth unto you, that you may 
know that I find no cause in Him. (Jesus therefore came 
forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) 
And he saith to them, Behold the Man. When the chief 
priests therefore and the servants had seen Him, they cried 
out, saying, Crucify Him, crucify Him. Pilate saith to 
them, Take Him you, and crucify Him ; for I find no cause 
in Him. The Jews answered him, We have a law, and 
according to the law He ought to die, because He made 
Himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore had heard 
this saying, he feared the more. And he entered into the 
hall again, and he said to Jesus, Whence art Thou? But 
Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore saith to Him, 



86 THE WORD OF GOD 

Speakest Thou not to me? Knowest Thou not that I have 
power to crucify Thee, and I have power to release Thee? 
Jesus answered, Thou shouldst not have any power against 
Me, unless it were given thee from above. Therefore he that 
hath delivered Me to thee, hath the greater sin. And from 
thenceforth Pilate sought to release Him. But the Jews 
cried out, saying, If thou release this man, thou art not 
Caesar's friend. For whosoever maketh himself a king, 
speaketh against Caesar. Now when Pilate had heard these 
words, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment- 
seat, in the place that is called Lithostrotus ; and in Hebrew, 
Gabbatha. And it was the parasceve of the pasch, about the 
sixth hour : and He saith to the Jews, Behold your King. But 
they cried out, Away with Him, away with Him, crucify 
Him. Pilate saith to them, Shall I crucify your King? The 
chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then 
therefore he delivered Him to them to be crucified. And they 
took Jesus, and led Him forth ; and bearing His own cross, 
He went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in 
Hebrew Golgotha: where they crucified Him, and with Him 
two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. And 
Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross: and 
the writing was, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. 
This title therefore many of the Jews did read, because the 
place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it 
was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin. Then the 
chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, Write not the King 
of the Jews, but that He said, I am the King of the Jews. 
Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. Then 
the soldiers, when they had crucified Him, took His gar- 
ments (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part), 
and also His coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven 
from the top throughout. They said then one to another, 
Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall 
be; that the Scripture might be fulfilled which saith, They 
have parted My garments among them, and upon My ves- 



THE WORD OF GOD 87 

ture they have cast lots. And the soldiers indeed did these 
things. Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, His mother, 
and His mother's sister Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Mag- 
dalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the dis- 
ciple standing whom He loved, He saith to His mother, 
Woman, behold thy son. After that, He saith to the dis- 
ciple, Behold thy mother. And from that hour the disciple 
took her to his own. Afterwards, Jesus, knowing that all 
things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be 
fulfilled, said, I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there 
full of vinegar: and they put a sponge full of vinegar about 
hyssop, and put it to His mouth. When Jesus therefore had 
taken the vinegar, He said, It is consummated. And bowing 
His head He gave up the ghost." John xviii, 33 — xix, 30. 

DURING these days, two great thoughts must 
be uppermost in our minds and deeply en- 
graved in our hearts, — the crucified Jesus, 
and the desolate Mary. We are the cause of their 
great affliction. Let us meditate on this responsibil- 
ity, and in the midst of our reflections the sublime 
prayer of the Stabat Mater will gently impress itself 
on our souls. "Near the cross, O Mother, I wish to 
stand with thee. Together with thee, make me weep 
also." 



EASTER SUNDAY 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY MAJOR 

Easter is the greatest feast of the year. The Church in the 
wondrous liturgy of this season greets with joy the risen Saviour, 
"Alleluia," she proclaims, "Praise be to the Lord." 

And the glory of Christ is also the glory of Mary. The Church 
exults with her, repeating the prayer, "Queen of Heaven, rejoice \ n 
This prayer takes the place of the "Angelus" during the season 
of Easter. 

Every Catholic is obliged to receive Holy Communion at this 
time of the year. 

THE RESURRECTION 

"At that time, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of 
James and Salome bought sweet spices, that coming they might 
anoint Jesus. And very early in the morning, the first day 
of the week, they come to the sepulchre, the sun being now 
risen ; and they said one to another, Who shall roll back the 
stone from the door of the sepulchre? And looking, they 
saw the stone rolled back : for it was very great. And enter- 
ing into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the 
right side, clothed with a white robe, and they were aston- 
ished : who saith to them, Be not affrighted ; you seek Jesus 
of Nazareth, Who was crucified : He is risen, He is not here; 
behold the place where they laid Him : but go, tell His dis- 
ciples, and Peter, that He goeth before you into Galilee: 
there you shall see Him, as He told you." Mark xvi, 1-7. 

THE Jews, after having nailed the Saviour to 
the cross, flung at Him this taunting chal- 
lenge, "If Thou be the Son of God, come 
down from the cross." 1 And mocking Him they 

Matthew xxvii, 40. 



THE WORD OF GOD 89 

said, "He saved others; Himself He cannot save." 1 
It would seem that divine omnipotence thus defied 
should vindicate itself by a miracle. And, certainly, 
it would not have been difficult for the Son of God 
triumphantly to break the instruments of His mar- 
tyrdom and thwart the anger of His enemies, to 
come down victorious from the cross. All the love 
which He bore for mankind, however, His supreme 
desire to redeem the human race by His blood and 
by His death, bound Him to the cross more strongly 
than did the nails of His persecutors. With His 
arms stretched out in one last embrace of love and 
pardon, Jesus completed the sacrifice and died trans- 
fixed on the cross. 

The Jews deluded themselves with the idea that 
they had buried His name beneath a mass of oppro- 
brium and ignominy. Was it possible for them, 
however, to be deceived? We shall see. 

It is the dawn of the third day. The Divine 
Body of the Saviour, wrapped in funeral bandages, 
is resting in a tomb carved from the solid rock. 
The silent warriors stand on guard before it. On the 
white stone that closes the entrance to the sepulchre 
may be seen the huge seal of the Sanhedrin. No one, 
surely, will attempt to steal the lifeless body of the 
Nazarene. 

But, behold! the earth trembles. An angel of 
God appears, brilliant and dazzling as a flash of 
lightning, the watchmen flee in terror, — Jesus 
Christ is risen from the dead ! 

This is the day of His great victory. He did not 
come down, still living from the cross as the Jews 

a Matthew xxvii, 42. 



90 THE WORD OF GOD 

had defied Him to do, but He did something far 
more astounding — He came, living, from actual 
death. 

There are two great evils, — sin and death. They 
entered into the world through the fall of our first 
parents. Jesus has conquered both of them. Dying, 
He has vanquished sin. Risen, He has overcome 
death. "O Death," he exclaims in His triumph, "I 
am your death! O Hell, I am your torment!" And 
the Church, brilliant with the glory of His splendor, 
answers in jubilation, " Alleluia ! Glory to the King 
of Life, Who returns living from the struggle with 
Death! Glory to the Conquering King!" 

If you wish, Christian soul, to take part in the 
triumph of your Saviour, you, also, must conquer sin 
in the sacrament of penance, and rise in grace. True 
good is not on earth but in Heaven, where Christ 
reigns at the right hand of His father. Thus also 
will you conquer death. 

Eutyches, patriarch of Constantinople, on his bed 
of pain, holding the skin of his withered hand, and 
radiant with hope, exclaimed to Saint Gregory the, 
Great, "I confess that I shall rise in this flesh." You, 
also, should make such an act of faith. It is neces- 
sary that your body should lose the bloom of youth, 
grow old, and turn into dust. But if Christ 
has risen, you also will rise. "Behold, I tell you a 
mystery," says Saint Paul. "We shall all indeed rise 
again; . . . for the trumpet shall sound, and the 
dead shall rise again incorruptible." 1 And the 
Apostle concludes, "Thanks be to God, Who hath 

*I Corinthians xv, 51, 52. 



THE WORD OF GOD 91 

given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ 
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and 
unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the 
Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain." * 

*I Corinthians xv, 57, 58. 



LOW SUNDAY OR SUNDAY IN WHITE 

STATION IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT PANCRATIUS 

On the first Sunday after Easter, the newly converted Christians 
took off the white garments with which they had been clothed for 
the reception of baptism on Holy Saturday. Because of this cus- 
tom, the day is called "Sunday in White." The present ceremony 
of placing a white cloth on the head of baptized persons recalls 
this primitive rite. With the pouring of the regenerating waters, 
the soul assumes the garment of innocence, which is to be carried 
unstained before the tribunal of Jesus Christ. 

FAITH 

"At that time, when it was late that same day, the first 
of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples 
were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came, 
and stood in the midst and said to them, Peace be to you. 
And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and 
His side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw 
the Lord. He said therefore to them again, Peace be to you : 
as the Father hath sent Me, I also send you. When He had 
said this, He breathed on them; and He said to them, Re- 
ceive ye the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall forgive, they 
are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall retain, they are 
retained. Now, Thomas, one of the twelve, who is called 
Didymus, was not with them, when Jesus came. The other 
disciples therefore said to him, We have seen the Lord. But 
he said to them : Except I see in His hands the print of the 
nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put 
my hand into His side, I will not believe. And after eight 
days, again His disciples were within, and Thomas with 
them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the 

92 



THE WORD OF GOD 93 

midst, and said, Peace be to you. Then He said to Thomas, 
Put in thy finger hither, and see My hands, and bring hither 
thy hand and put it into My side ; and be not faithless, but 
believing. Thomas answered, and said to Him, My Lord 
and my God. Jesus saith to him, Because thou hast seen 
Me, Thomas, thou hast believed : blessed are they that have 
not seen, and have believed. Many other signs also did Jesus 
in the sight of His disciples, which are not written in this 
book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus 
is the Christ the Son of God; and that, believing, you may 
have life in His name." John xx, 19-31. 

JESUS had appeared to the Apostles. He had 
shown them the trace of the nails in His 
hands, and the wound of the lance in His heart. 
He had given them their mission to announce the 
Gospel to all nations ; He had breathed upon them, 
giving them power to forgive sins. It seems incred- 
ible that there should have been a doubt about the 
fact that Christ had risen, a fact that was substan- 
tiated by so many witnesses. But Thomas, who was 
absent when Jesus appeared, would not believe the 
other Apostles, He considered it a mere hallucina- 
tion, and shaking his head, he repeated the words 
of all subsequent unbelievers, "Except I shall see in 
His hands the print of the nails, . . . and put my 
hand into His side, I will not believe." 1 For eight 
days he persisted in his obstinacy. It is the octave 
of Easter, and the Apostles are once more together. 
Jesus comes again. He has come for Thomas to 
convince him, — to take him at his word. "Put in 
thy finger hither, and see My hands ; and bring hither 

thy hand and put it into My side and be not faith- 

- 

Mohn xx, 25. 



94 THE WORD OF GOD 

less but believing." 1 But Thomas is now convinced. 
He utters that sublime profession of faith which is 
the cry of every soul that returns, "My Lord and 
my God!" And in one repentant outburst of devo- 
tion, he falls in tears at Jesus' feet. 

"The unbelief of Thomas," says Saint Gregory 
the Great, "has helped our faith more than the 
docility of all the other Apostles. The difficulties 
and doubts of this Apostle, and his obstinacy, are for 
us a guaranty of the truth." 

The entire preaching of the Apostles is based on 
this fact, — that Christ is risen from the dead. To 
prove the truth of His resurrection, they fearlessly 
faced death. Their martyrdom is for us the most 
absolute proof of their unshakable conviction and of 
their veracity. 

* * * 

Some years after the resurrection, a company of 
soldiers was riding towards the city of Damascus. 
The leader of this company was a man by the name 
of Saul. He was commissioned by the Jews of Jeru- 
salem to capture the disciples of the Lord. Sud- 
denly, a light from Heaven shone around him, and 
terrified he fell from his horse. "Saul, Saul," cried 
the voice, "Why persecutest thou Me?" 2 And Saul, 
trembling with fear asked, "Who art Thou, Lord?" 
"I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest," 3 was the 
answer, and Saul was converted to the true faith. 
He entered the city, offered himself for instruction 
in the Christian religion and received the sacrament 

*John xx, 27. 
2 Acts ix, 4. 
8 Acts ix, 5. 



THE WORD OF GOD 95 

of baptism. Such is the story of the Apostle of the 
Gentiles, Saint Paul, one of the greatest souls of the 
Christian Church. Writing later a celebrated letter 
to the faithful of Corinth, he enumerated the argu- 
ments on account of which he believed. "Christ . . . 
rose again the third day according to the Scriptures 
and was seen by Peter, and after that by the eleven. 
Then He was seen by more than five hundred breth- 
ren at once, of whom many remain until this present. 
. . . After that, he was seen by James, then by all 
the Apostles. And last of all, He was seen also by 
me, . . . the least of the Apostles, who am not 
worthy to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted 
the Church of God." 1 

The bitter enemy of Christ had become the most 
intrepid of His Apostles. He traveled through the 
Roman Empire, confronting everywhere the ene- 
mies of the truth, bravely enduring tortures and 
hardships, and finally obtaining the martyr's crown. 

You, too, O Christian soul, must be unflinchingly 
steadfast in your faith. "When you hear the unbe- 
liever insult our faith," says Saint Augustine, "raise 
your forehead and defend it. Your forehead is 
signed and confirmed with the cross of Christ from 
the day on which you became His soldier." 

*I Corinthians xv, 3-9. 



SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 
THE GOOD SHEPHERD 

"At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees, I am the good 
shepherd. The good shepherd giveth His life for His sheep ; 
but the hireling, and he that is not the shepherd, whose own 
the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the 
sheep, and flieth; and the wolf catcheth and scattereth the 
sheep ; and the hireling flieth because he is a hireling, and he 
hath no care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd ; and I 
know Mine and Mine know Me. As the Father knoweth 
Me, and I know the Father, and I lay down My life for My 
sheep. And other sheep I have, that are not of this fold; 
them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and 
there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."' John x, 11-16. 

Jesus is the Shepherd, and the faithful, who have 
been baptized in His name and have had His indeli- 
ble character impressed on their soul, are the sheep. 
Who has not observed what happens in the sheep- 
fold? The shepherd lives with the sheep, knows 
each of them, calls them by name. Whenever he 
moves, the whole flock follows. And if a stranger 
appears among them, the sheep take fright and 
scamper away. But Jesus is not only a Shepherd, He 
is the Good Shepherd. 

Men who take care of sheep watch the flock for 
love of gain, and as soon as the proper season comes, 
they shear the sheep and sacrifice the lambs. Jesus, 
instead, loves His sheep. He has given His blood 

96 



THE WORD OF GOD 97 

for them, and has sacrificed Himself to defend them. 
"I give them life everlasting and they shall not per- 
ish forever, and no man shall pluck them out of My 
hand." 1 

When a sheep is lost, the Good Shepherd has 
peace no longer. He leaves the rest of the fold and 
goes in search of the one that is lost. Over the 
rocks, in the brushwood, on the hills, into the 
ravines, He goes and calls for the sheep to return. 

Harken, O wandering, desolate sheep, harken to 
the voice of the Shepherd. O, if you knew how Jesus 
wishes you to return! "I have wandered," wept 
Saint Ambrose, "I have wandered as a sheep that is 
lost." Come, O Lord, and rescue Thy poor tired 
sheep. Come, O Shepherd, leave the other ninety- 
nine of the flock, and hasten after me who am lost. 
Come without the shepherd dogs, and without the 
staff. Save me from the ravening wolves that are 
around me. Take me on Thy shoulders and carry 
me ; yes, carry me to the cross. The cross is my com- 
fort and my refuge, — it is the rest of my weary soul. 
It is my life, even though I be dead. 



The time approached when Jesus was to leave the 
earth and return to His Father. He called Saint 
Peter to Him and asked him three times, "Simon, 
son of John, lovest thou Me more than these?" 
Saint Peter answered, "Lord, Thou knowest all 
things; Thou knowest that I love Thee." And Jesus 
said, "Feed My sheep." 2 Saint Peter, therefore, 

^John x, 28. 
2 John xxi, 15-17. 



98 THE WORD OF GOD 

was constituted the visible shepherd of the Church in 
place of Jesus. From the death of Saint Peter, with 
a never interrupted succession, the vicar of Christ 
takes the place of the Good Shepherd and watches 
over the flock entrusted to his guidance. The good 
sheep appreciate the joy of being with him. When 
he speaks the word, all obey, and recognize in his 
voice the voice of Jesus. The wicked, however, are 
deaf to his voice. They would wish to remain in the 
fold, but, meanwhile, they do not wish to obey, and 
are banished. O unruly sheep, who are in danger 
of being lost, Jesus wishes you also to be near the 
Shepherd. 

Many souls are still far distant from the Church. 
If these souls would only realize how ardently Jesus 
longs to have them with Him, if they would but 
harken to the Shepherd's voice, they would quickly 
and joyfully return to Him Who loves them. Jesus 
has said that these sheep shall hear His voice and 
that then u there shall be one fold and one shep- 
herd." 1 Grant, O Lord Jesus, that this unity may 
be soon our blessing. 



^fohn x, 16. 



THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 

THE VALUE OF SUFFERING 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, A little while, 
and now you shall not see Me : and again a little while, and 
you shall see Me ; because I go to the Father. Then some of 
His disciples said one to another, What is this that He saith 
to us, A little while, and you shall not see Me ; and again a 
little while, and you shall see Me; and because I go to the 
Father? They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A 
little while? we know not what he speaketh. And Jesus 
knew that they had a mind to ask Him : and He said to them, 
Of this do you inquire among yourselves because I said, A 
little while, and you shall not see Me; and again a little 
while, and you shall see Me? Amen, amen, I say to you, that 
you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice; and 
you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned 
into joy. A woman when she is in labor hath sorrow, be- 
cause her hour is come ; but when she hath brought forth the 
child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a 
man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sor- 
row, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, 
and your joy no man shall take from you. ,, John xvi, 16-22. 

THE words which the Apostles did not under- 
stand contain a mystery. Jesus is to leave 
the world and return to the Father, and so 
He takes care to warn them : U A little while,. and you 
shall not see Me." * We can understand from these 



^ohn xvi, 19. 

99 



100 THE WORD OF GOD 

words something of the affection which Christ has 
for His disciples. They are to remain in the midst 
of griefs, deprived of the comfort of His visible 
presence in the time of trial, but all this is to be only 
for a short time. He is to return quickly, and they 
are to see Him once more. They are to see Him 
"coming in the clouds of Heaven with much power 
and majesty." * 

Our present life is as fleeting as a shadow. It is a 
life of grief for all, — for the good and for the 
wicked. The world laughs and makes merry, seek- 
ing to forget in pleasures the unhappiness which tor- 
ments it. And indeed the more it laughs and pro- 
claims itself joyful, the more evident is it that 
beneath its laugh and joy are tears and sadness. For 
the wicked especially, the grief is terrible. There is 
no comfort, no hope in their hearts. From the ills 
which befall them, they are incapable of deriving 
good. They clamorously rebel against their misfor- 
tunes like a steed which kicks back under the goad, 
and beats the rocks with his hoofs, uselessly sending 
forth a myriad of sparks. There is in this sort of 
blind grief the vain fury of desperation, as in the 
case of a shipwrecked person struggling furiously in 
the midst of the ocean, without hope of saving him- 
self, with the certainty of dying. The true Chris- 
tian inclines himself lovingly to the will of God, 
knowing that "we have not here a lasting city." 2 
God wishes us to realize this truth. He wishes us 
to keep our hearts above with Him. "He wishes us," 
says Saint Augustine, "to seek that happiness whose 



Matthew xxiv, 30. 
2 Hebrews xiii, 14. 



THE WORD OF GOD 101 

sweetness will not deceive us." How consoling arc 
the words of the Lord! "Come to Me all you that 
labor and are burdened, and I will refresh you." * 
Realize what it means to pray in grief before Jesus 
in the Blessed Sacrament. The heavy heart expands 
as the drooping flower revives under the warm rays 
of the sun. 

"And yet a little while and you shall see Me." 
And yet a little while ! The years which to us seem 
centuries are only an instant. Our sorrow is the 
light sorrow of a moment. What arc the few days 
of life compared with eternity? But with these few 
days we may prepare ourselves to shine "as stars for 
all eternity." 2 

We should not, therefore, consider the things of 
the world which we see. We should concern our- 
selves rather with things which we do not see. Saint 
Paul tells us that "the things which are seen are tem- 
poral, but the things which are not seen are 
eternal." 3 

Even in this life, suffering for Jesus is an inex- 
haustible fountain of joy and of peace. The lives of 
the saints have been constant proofs to the world of 
the truth of our Lord's teaching, "Blessed are they 
that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is 
the kingdom of Heaven." 4 They alone possess true 
happiness. 

Saint Catherine of Sienna was requested to choose 
between a crown of roses and a crown of thorns. 
Amid great transports of joy she chose the crown 



Matthew xi, 28. 
2 Daniel xii, 3. 
S II Corinthians iv, 18. 
4 Matthew v, 10. 



102 THE WORD OF GOD 

of thorns, because it had been the crown of Jesus. 
Another saint addressed to our Lord this sublime 
petition: "to suffer and to be despised for Thy sake." 
Saint Theresa, realizing that a life without suffering 
is a life without merit, prayed for suffering. If it is 
indeed so sweet, O Lord, to suffer for Thee, what 
then must it be to rejoice with Thee ! We must raise 
our hearts to Heaven, therefore, and in the midst of 
affliction we may repeat the words of Saint Francis 
of Assisi: 

"So great is the good that awaits me 
That I rejoice in every pain." 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 
THE MISSION OF THE HOLY GHOST 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, I go to Him 
that sent Me; and none of you asketh Me, Whither goest 
Thou? But because I have spoken these things to you, sor- 
row hath filled your heart. But I tell you the truth: it is 
expedient to you that I go; for if I go not, the Paraclete 
will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you. 
And when He is come, He will convince the world of sin, 
and of justice, and of judgment. Of sin, because they be- 
lieved not in Me; and of justice, because I go to the Father, 
and you shall see Me no longer; and of judgment, because the 
prince of this world is already judged. I have yet many things 
to say to you, but you cannot bear them now ; but when He, 
the Spirit of truth, is come, He will teach you all truth ; for 
He shall not speak of Himself; but what things soever He 
shall hear, He shall speak, and the things that are to come 
He shall show you. He shall glorify Me because He shall 
receive of Mine, and shall show it to you." John xvi, 5-14. 

IT is evening. Jesus goes to the Garden of Olives 
for His usual prayer. The Apostles have been 
told that their Master is about to leave them, 
and they are filled with sadness at the thought of 
parting. But Jesus consoles them, saying, "Let not 
your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe 
also in Me. ... I will come again and take you to 
Myself, that where I am you also may be. . . . I go 
to the Father . . . and I will ask the Father, and 

103 



104 THE WORD OF GOD 

He shall give you another Paraclete that He may 
abide with you forever." 1 The Apostles are to lose 
the comfort of Christ's visible presence, the encour- 
agement of His glance and His words, but they are 
not to be left alone. The Holy Ghost is to come 
down upon them to give them inspiration and 
strength. The assistance which the Holy Ghost will 
give them is to be entirely interior and spiritual, as- 
sistance which is befitting for men already advanced 
in faith and virtue. The infant sees the face of the 
mother and is happy only when nestling in her arms. 
But when he becomes older, he knows how to act 
manfully without seeing his mother, although he 
still preserves his love for her in his heart. 

The Holy Spirit will enkindle the hearts of the 
Apostles with love, and will illumine their minds 
with truth. They will know the highest mysteries 
of Christianity, which up to that time they were 
not prepared to hear, and so revelation will be fin- 
ished. 

The coming of the Holy Ghost concerns not only 
the good but also the wicked. Evil must be exposed 
and confounded. This mission of the Holy Spirit is 
not to take place, however, with the clear manifesta- 
tion which will accompany the triumph of the good 
on the last day, when Jesus will come in glory to 
punish His enemies. It is a gentle, silent triumph by 
persuasion. 

Every upright man who sees the marvellous ad- 
vance of the work of Christ cannot but admit the 
stupendous, the supernatural power which moves it 
steadily, irresistibly forward. Such a man must rec- 

^ohn xiv, 1-16. 



I 



THE WORD OF GOD 105 

ognize that notwithstanding the calumnies and the 
satanic hatred of the wicked, the mission of the 
Church in the midst of men is holy and divine. And 
ultimately he will be obliged to acknowledge that 
the prince of darkness has been conquered forever 

by Christ. 

* * * 

Shortly after the resurrection of the Saviour, a 
young Christian, Stephen by name, was brought 
before the Sanhedrin to be judged. With a truly sub- 
lime composure, he faced his wrathful enemies. The 
story of his courage, his eloquent speech before the 
council, and his glorious martyrdom is told in the 
Acts of the Apostles. His words to his judges 
burned with scorn and defiance. "As your fathers 
did, so do you also. Which of the prophets have 
not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain 
them who foretold of the coming of the Just One, of 
Whom you have been now the betrayers and mur- 
derers." * The judges were cut to the heart at the 
words of Stephen, "but he being full of the Holy 
Ghost, looking up steadfastly to Heaven, saw the 
glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand 
of God. And he said, 'Behold, I see the Heavens 
opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right 
hand of God.' And they crying out with a loud voice 
. . . ran violently upon him, and casting him forth 
without the city, they stoned him." 2 As the rocks 
struck him down, this prayer was heard: "Lord 
Jesus, receive my spirit." 3 His last words, as he 

\Acts vii, 51, 52. 
'Acts vii, 55-57. 
8 Acts vii, 58. 



106 THE \VORD OF GOD 

closed his eyes to open them in Heaven were, "Lord, 
lay not this sin to their charge." 4 

Saint Stephen was the first martyr, the first child 
of the Church to return to Christ blood for Blood. 

The promise of Christ to His Apostles had been 
fulfilled. The Holy Ghost had inspired the children 
of Christ with unshakable courage and unswerving 
faith. And thus down through the glorious centuries 
of the Christian era the abiding presence of the 
Divine Counsellor has been an insurmountable bul- 
wark against the onslaughts of the enemies of truth. 

\Acts vii, 59. 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER 

PRAYER 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Amen, amen I 
say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name, He 
will give it you. Hitherto you have not asked anything in 
My name: ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be 
full. These things I have spoken to you in proverbs: the 
hour cometh when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, 
but will show you plainly of the Father. In that day, you 
shall ask in My name ; and I say not to you that I will ask 
the Father for you, for the Father Himself loveth you, be- 
cause you have loved Me, and have believed that I came out 
from God. I came forth from the Father, and am come into 
the world: again I leave the world, and go to the Father. 
His disciples say to Him, Behold, now Thou speakest plainly, 
and speakest no proverb. Now we know that Thou knowest 
all things, and Thou needest not that any man should ask 
Thee: by this we believe that Thou earnest forth from God." 
John xvi, 23-30. 

THE Lord wishes us to pray to Him. He loves 
to speak with us, to receive the confidences 
of our hearts, to be the inspiration of our 
desires, to be the centre of all our affections. There- 
fore, He tells us, "Ask and you shall receive." * 
These words of our Lord were uttered in a most 
solemn manner, almost in the form of an oath. 
"Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father 



^ohn xvi, 24. 

107 



108 THE WORD OF GOD 

anything in My name, He will give it you. 5 ' * This 
is the most consoling promise of Jesus. By the 
force of these words, our weakness becomes omnipo- 
tence through the all-powerful influence of prayer. 

Saint Augustine reminds us, however, that this 
promise regards the welfare of the soul, for what 
may we ask in the name of the Saviour if we do not 
ask salvation ? We may, it is true, ask for temporal 
blessings, but we should not forget that when Jesus 
taught us the "Our Father," He had us ask only for 
the bread necessary for a single day, "Give us this 
day our daily bread." He directs our attention, 
rather, to spiritual blessings, the glory of God, the 
triumph of the Church, and the forgiveness of our 
sins. These are the graces which we shall obtain 
infallibly, if with confident perseverance we trust 
ourselves to the goodness of God in the name of 
Jesus. 

Prayer, indeed, is most necessary. All about us is 
the ominous flash of the tempest. Our wills tremble 
before the attractions of the world, the deceits of the 
devil and the rebellion of the passions. We are as 
shipwrecked mariners who feel our strength ebbing 
away and realize that if help does not come soon 
we are lost. All hope of salvation rests in our cry 
for assistance. We must raise our voices above the 
tumult of the storm. When, therefore, the tempest 
is most violent, all the stronger must be our cry, all 
the more insistent must be our prayer. Jesus is pres- 
ent on the sea while we are struggling. He extends 
His hands to help us. His reassuring voice comes 
over the waves to us and to all the souls who wish 



^John xvi, 23. 



THE WORD OF GOD 109 

to Hear Him. "Watch and pray that you enter not 

into temptation." * No Christian should forget these 

words. 

# * * 

Saint Philip Neri, apostle of Rome, wished all his 
companions before retiring at night to implore the 
gift of holy perseverance through the intercession of 
the Blessed Virgin. We should pray every day for 
this blessing because we need it every day. 

Saint Alphonsus, the founder of the Congregation 
of the Most Holy Redeemer, closes one of his medi- 
tations on prayer with these most impressive words : 
"Pray, pray, pray, and never cease praying. If you 
pray you will certainly be saved; and if you do not 
pray, you will certainly be lost. 

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION 

"And Jesus eating together with them, He commanded 
them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but should 
wait for the promise of the Father, which you have heard 
(saith He by My mouth: for John indeed baptized with 
water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, not 
many days hence (on Pentecost). They therefore who were 
come together, asked Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this 
time restore the kingdom to Israel? But He said to them, 
It is not for you to know the times or moments which the 
Father hath put in His own power; but you shall receive 
the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall 
be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Sa- 
maria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth. And 
when he had said these things, while they looked on He was 
raised up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And 



*Mark xiv, 38. 



110 THE WORD OF GOD 

while they were beholding Him going up to Heaven, behold 
two men stood by them in white garments, who also said, 
Ye men of Galilee, w T hy stand you looking up to Heaven? 
This Jesus Who is taken up from you into Heaven, shall so 
come, as you have seen Him going into Heaven." Acts i, 
4-11. 

"At that time, Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were at 
table: and He upbraided them with their incredulity and 
hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had 
seen Him after He was risen again. And He said to them, 
Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every 
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, 
but he that believeth not shall be condemned. And these signs 
shall follow them that believe. In My name they shall cast 
out devils ; they shall speak with new tongues ; they shall take 
up serpents ; and if they shall drink any deadly thing, it shall 
not hurt them; they shall lay their hands upon the sick, 
and they shall recover. And the Lord Jesus, after He had 
spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sitteth on the 
right hand of God. But they going preached everywhere, the 
Lord working w T ithal, and confirming the word with the signs 
that followed." Mark xvi, 14-20. 

ALL the members of the infant Church are 
A% assembled on the slope of the Mount of 
Olives, in order to be present at the last meet- 
ing with Jesus, Who is returning to His Father. 
Jesus raised His hands and blessed them, and "while 
they looked on, He was raised up and a cloud re- 
ceived Him out of their sight." 1 "Thou art bathed 
with light and with beauty," exclaims the liturgy, 
"Alleluia I" "Thy foot rests on the clouds and Thy 
ways on the wings of the wind." 

Since that day the Church looks to Heaven. She 

^cts i, 9. 



THE WORD OF GOD 111 

desires Jesus Who has ascended to the right hand 
of His Father, she invokes Him through the hearts 
of all the faithful. Her Spouse is to return as the 
angels have promised, "This Jesus Who is taken up 
from you into Heaven, shall so come, as you have 
seen Him going into Heaven." * In every word of 
the New Testament, there is this deep feeling of ex- 
pectation, this fervid expression of desire, "Looking 
for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the 
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 In the 
last page of the Sacred Book the prayer becomes a 
cry: "Come, Lord Jesus!" 3 And Jesus, shortening 
the centuries, replies, "I come quickly." 4 And the 
Spouse answers, "Amen." 

*F 1* *p 

The day of His coming will be a wondrous feast, 
like the grand reception at a marriage festival ; and 
in the meantime the faithful must be watchful as the 
prudent virgins of the parable. Let all the lamps be 
lighted, ready for the Bridegroom. 

At dawn today the Church sings this hymn: "Par- 
don, O Lord, all our faults, and raise our hearts on 
high to Thee." And the inspiring prayer asks that 
in our thoughts at least we may dwell in Heaven 
with Jesus. 

In the midst of the sorrows of this pilgrimage we 
may therefore look forward to our country and 
hasten towards it. "Our whole life," says Saint 

Augustine, "must be one desire for Heaven." 

»■■ - ' ■ 

*Acts i, 11. 
2 Titus ii, 13. 
s Apocalypse xxii, 20. 
* Apocalypse xxii, 20. 



112 THE WORD OF GOD 

Saint Philip Neri, the saint of joy and of Chris- 
tian happiness, appreciated the importance of this 
truth. Three months before his death, speaking 
with Bernardino Corona, his devoted friend, he con- 
fided a secret to him. "Bernardino, the Pope wishes 
to make me a Cardinal. What do you think of it?" 
Corona answered that he should accept the honor if 
for no other reason than for the benefit of the In- 
stitute which he had founded. Saint Philip then told 
his friend that he would decline the honor, as the 
purpose of the community was the acquisition of 
heavenly and not earthly honors. When he spoke 
of the things of God, tears came to his eyes in such 
abundance that he was often obliged to change the 
subject of conversation. In reading the lives of the 
saints, he shed more tears than he pronounced words. 
Thus his mind was always elevated to heavenly 
things in one continuous prayer. Saint Augustine 
says, "He who has a great longing for Heaven is 
always at prayer, even though his tongue be silent." 
We should therefore look always to the welfare of 
our soul, praying fervently and with perseverance 
for final union in Heaven with Jesus Christ. 



SUNDAY AFTER THE ASCENSION 

PERSECUTION 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, When the Para- 
clete cometh, Whom I will send you from the Father, the 
Spirit of truth, Who proceedeth from the Father, He shall 
give testimony of Me : and you shall give testimony, because 
you are with Me from the beginning. These things have I 
spoken to you, that you may not be scandalized. They will 
put you out of the synagogues: yea, the hour cometh, that 
whosoever killeth you will think that he doth a service to 
God. And these things will they do to you, because they have 
not known the Father, nor Me. But these things I have told 
you, that, when the hour shall come, you may remember that 
I told you." John xv, 2 — xvi, 4. 

TRUTH begets hatred, for all those who can- 
not bear the light of truth deride it. When 
Jesus sent His Apostles forth to preach the 
Gospel, He said to them, "Go ; Behold I send you as 
lambs among wolves." 1 These words of the Saviour 
are interpreted as a prediction of the way in which 
the Church was to be persecuted. It was to be every- 
where attacked, calumniated, deprived of the most 
sacred rights, persecuted in the name of civilization, 
of liberty, of science, and even in the very name of 
religion. This continual oppression, of which we all 
are aware, if not through personal experience, at 

^ukc vi, 3. 

113 



114 THE WORD OF GOD 

least through history, has become one of the argu- 
ments in favor of the truth of the Catholic religion. 
Many are the churches which claim descent from 
Christ, but only one of these churches is unrelent- 
ingly assailed. Nor is there anything more signifi- 
cant than this instinctive intolerance of her enemies. 

The good must not be scandalized, therefore, by 
persecution. Jesus has foretold it: "If the world 
hate you, know ye that it hath hated Me before 
you." * "And you shall be hated by all men for My 
name's sake." 2 

This hate is directed not only against the mother, 
but also against the children. "All that will live 
godly in Christ Jesus," writes Saint Paul, "shall suffer 
persecution." 3 "Therefore," concludes Saint Augus- 
tine, "if you think that you will not suffer persecu- 
tion, you have not yet commenced to be a Christian." 
Persecution will come from enemies, from friends, 
from superiors and from subordinates. They do not 
hate you, but they hate Christ Who lives in you. 
For Him, therefore, you are suffering. This thought 
will sustain you in trial, and will strengthen your 
resignation. "You, O Christian," exclaims Saint 
John Chrysostom, "are a delicate soldier if you think 
that you will conquer in the battle of life without a 
struggle." Be strong, therefore, and fight bravely. 
Remember the army to which you belong. Remem- 
ber, fight and conquer. Jesus has said, "Have con- 
fidence, I have overcome the world." 4 



^ohn xv, 18. 
2 Luke xxi, 17. 
'Timothy iii, 12. 
4 John xvi, 33. 



THE WORD OF GOD 115 

Every morning and every evening for forty days, 
a man of extraordinary stature, Goliath the giant, 
clad in armor and bearing a lance, came out from 
the camp of the Philistines and appeared before the 
trenches of Israel, hurling at them this taunt: "Give 
me r a man, and let him fight with me hand to hand." * 
And because no one dared to oppose him, he 
returned to the camp, boasting: "I have defied the 
bands of Israel this day." 2 

A young man by the name of David who was not 
yet of age to bear arms, came by chance to the en- 
campment, heard the insult, and was filled with rage. 
With the staff and the sling of a shepherd, David 
went forth against the Philistine. When the giant 
saw the youth, he cursed him and said, "Come to me, 
and I will give thy flesh to the birds of the air and 
to the beasts of the earth." 3 And David answered, 
"Thou comest to me with a sword and with a spear 
and with a shield, but I come to thee in the name of 
the Lord of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, 
which thou hast defied." 4 With this cry, he ran 
towards him, hurling a stone with the sling. Goliath 
fell to the earth, struck by the stone in the forehead. 
And David took the sword of the giant and slew 
him. "And the Philistines seeing that their cham- 
pion was dead, fled away." 5 

Thus also shall we conquer in the name of the 
Lord in the unequal struggle of life, even though our 
enemy be a giant. 

*I Kings xvii, 10. 
2 I Kings xvii, 10. 
3 I Kings xvii, 44. 
4 I Kings xvii, 45. 
6 I Kings xvii, 51. 



PENTECOST SUNDAY 

"Pentecost" is a Greek word which signifies fiftieth. It was 
the feast which the Jews celebrated fifty days after the Passover 
in order to commemorate the promulgation of the Law of Moses. 
On this day, the Holy Ghost came down on the Apostles. The 
Church observes the feast with great rejoicing. The red color 
of the vestments, giving to the day the name of "Easter of Roses," 
symbolizes the fire enkindled in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. 
The time for the fulfillment of the obligation of Easter Communion 
ends next Sunday. 

"When the days of Pentecost were accomplished, they (the 
Apostles and disciples) were all together in one place; and 
suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a mighty 
wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were 
sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it 
were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them; and they 
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak 
with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them 
to speak. Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, 
devout men out of every nation under heaven. And when 
this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and 
were confounded in mind, because that every man heard 
them speak in his own tongue: and they were all amazed, 
and wondered, saying, Behold are not all these that speak, 
Galileans? And how have we heard every man our own 
tongue wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and 
Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cap- 
padocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt 
and the parts of Lybia about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, 
Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians: we have 
heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works 
of God." Acts % Ml. 

116 



THE WORD OF GOD 117 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, If any one love 
Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, 
and we will come to him, and will make our abode with him. 
He that loveth Me not, keepeth not My words: and the 
word which you have heard is not Mine, but the Father's 
Who sent Me. These things have I spoken to you, abiding 
with you: but the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, Whom the 
Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, 
and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have 
said to you. Peace I leave with j^ou, My peace I give unto 
you; not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not 
your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. You have heard 
that I said to you, I go away, and I come unto you. If you 
loved Me, you would indeed be glad, because I go to the 
Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have 
told you before it come to pass, that, when it shall come to 
pass, you may believe. I will not now speak many things 
with you ; for the prince of this world cometh, and in Me he 
hath not anything. But that the world may know that I love 
the Father, and as the Father hath given Me commandment, 
so do I." John xiv, 23-31. 

FIFTY days after the resurrection all Jerusa- 
lem was observing the solemn feast of Pente- 
cost, the closing festival of the Paschal sea- 
son. The Apostles were in a closed room far from 
the throng, and together with the Blessed Virgin 
they were praying for the fulfillment of the promise 
of Jesus. "The Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom 
the Father will send in My name, He will teach you 
all things and bring all things to your mind whatso- 
ever I shall have said to you." * Suddenly, there 
came a sound from Heaven as of a mighty wind, 
like that of a waterfall or the raging of a tempest 

^John xiv, 26. 



118 THE WORD OF GOD 

churning up the seas or striking the forests. At the 
same time, there appeared tongues of fire which, 
separating, rested on the head of each of them, and 
all were filled with the Holy Ghost. 

"Come, O Consoler," implores the Church, "Ray 
of Light, Father of the Poor, Light of Hearts! 
Come, O gentle Guest of the Soul, O sweet Com- 
forter in trouble ! Give to the faithful who trust in 
Thee Thy seven gifts, Amen. Alleluia." 

The Apostles have received the strength of the 
Holy Spirit, and while the Synagogue commemo- 
rates the promulgation of the Old Law, they promul- 
gate in the Name of God the New Law, of which 
Christ is the Author. Today, with the fullness of 
grace, they begin their mission. According to the 
prophecy of Jesus, a prophecy which the course of 
centuries has fulfilled, the new preachers are to carry 
the gospel from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria, 
to the utmost bounds of the earth. They are to be 
witnesses, martyrs for Jesus. 

Would these men, poor and timorous, unlettered 
laborers, would these men have been able to go 
forth to the conquest of the world without the 
inspiration of the Holy Ghost? Could these 
Apostles have succeeded in their tremendous, their 
humanly speaking impossible undertaking, without 
the guidance of the same Holy Spirit? They are 
transformed, they are strengthened, they are sancti- 
fied, and therefore they succeed in their mission. 

The Apostles became possessed with burning zeal 
and unflinching courage. Speaking the humble 
dialect of the fishermen of the Lake of Genesareth, 
they preached Jesus Christ crucified and risen from 



THE WORD OF GOD 119 

the dead. All who heard them understood them, 
even those who spoke entirely different languages. 
Peter had no fear in crying out, u Ye men of Israel, 
hear these words: 'Jesus of Nazareth, a Man 
approved of God among you, by miracles and won- 
ders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst 
of you as you also know: This same being delivered 
up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge 
of God, you by the hands of wicked men have cruci- 
fied and slain. . . . This Jesus hath God raised 
again, whereof all we are witnesses. 5 " * And Peter 
continued, " 'Do penance, and be baptized every one 
of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission 
of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the 
Holy Ghost.' " 2 On this first day there were three 
thousand converts. The net of the fisherman and his 
small bark did not seem able to bear the weight of 
this miraculous draught. The Church was born. 

The new faithful, inspired by the Holy Ghost, 
were most eager for the instruction of the Apostles. 
They were united in charity, attentive to. the Holy 
Sacrifice, persevering in prayer. The example of 
fraternal charity which they gave had never been 
seen before, and it was observed with astonishment. 
u Men hate one another," it was said, "but these 
Christians love one another." "Their possessions 
and goods they sold and divided them all, according 
as every one had need." 3 

"If you have O Christian, one spark of love in 

your heart," concludes Saint Augustine, "guard it as 

. ■' ' ' i ■ ■ 

a Acts ii, 22-32. 
s Acts ii, 38. 
*Acts ii, 45. 



120 THE WORD OF GOD 

a treasure, and further enkindle it by the breath of 
prayer, by humility, by penance, and by good works. 
Pray, for He Who hears you is not outside, but 
within you, and in secret He will hear and answer 
you." 

FEAST OF THE HOLY TRINITY 

The Paschal Season ends today, and the recitation of the 
Angelus at morning, at mid-day and in the evening is taken up 
again. The last period of the ecclesiastical year, which extends 
in the first Sunday of Advent, begins with this feast 

THE TRINITY 

"At that time Jesus said to His disciples, All power is given 
to Me in heaven and in earth. Going, therefore, teach all 
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all 
things whatsoever I have commanded you ; and behold I am 
with you all days, even to the consummation of the world/' 
Matthew xxviii, 18-20. 

THE prophet Isaias is rapt in ecstasy and has 
a vision. In the temple above an exalted 
throne, the Lord surrounded by angels, 
appears to him. The mantle of His glory descends 
with a fullness sufficient to cover the entire syna- 
gogue, and two choirs of seraphim alternate in song, 
chanting: "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts. 
All the earth is full of His glory." 1 At the sound of 
the voices, the very doors of bronze vibrate, and 
the whole temple is filled with harmony. 

Truly the entire earth is full of the majesty of 
God. The heavens, brilliant with the sun by day, 

isaias vi, 3. 



THE WORD OF GOD 121 

and sparkling with stars by night, bespeak continu- 
ously the glory of the Lord. Can there be even one 
heart on earth that does not feel, one mind that 
does not appreciate the irresistible force of this lan- 
guage? Everything tells us of this great God, for 
even silence speaks, the eternal silence of infinite 
space, proclaiming the power and the grandeur of 
the almighty King. This great Lord, Who is hidden 
from us, is at the same time so close to us that we 
may continually feel the tenderness of His inspira- 
tions and the severity of His reproofs. 

And to us, creatures of God's goodness, He has 
deigned to make known the ineffable nature of His 
Being. He is one God in three divine persons, equal 
and distinct, — Father, Son and Holy Ghost. "The 
Father eternal, the Son eternal, the Holy Ghost eter- 
nal, and yet They are not three eternals but one eter- 
nal — not three Gods but one God. This is the Cath- 
olic faith, which except a man believe faithfully and 
steadfastly, he cannot be saved. Glory be to the 
Father, to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was 
in the beginning, is now and ever shall be world 
without end, Amen." 1 

"Bestir your mind," writes Saint Hilary, "and 
pass back in thought through the centuries. When 
you think of the first day, and you imagine the first 
rays of light dawning on the world, reflect that 
already God exists, God the Father, the Son and the 
Holy Ghost, eternal beyond all time." The mind is 
lost in the contemplation of this thought. Words 
are inadequate, but faith teaches us that in this eter- 
nity the Son is equal to the Father, and the Holy 

1 Creed of St. Athanasius. 



122 THE WORD OF GOD 

Spirit is equal to the Father and the Son, without 

any possible difference of existence, greatness or 

power. We praise the Father for creation, the Son 

for redemption, and the Holy Spirit for sanctifica- 

tion. 

* * * 

An interesting story is told of Saint Peter of 
Verona, who was born in that city in the year 1206 
of heretical parents. Saint Peter fought and suffered 
for the faith from his childhood. When he was 
seven years of age, he was asked on a certain occa- 
sion by his uncle what he had learned in school. To 
the amazement and displeasure of the uncle, the 
boy recited the Apostles' Creed. Some years later, 
feeling that God had called him to a life of perfec- 
tion, he courageously put on the white habit of the 
sons of Saint Dominic. His constant desire was to 
die for Jesus, and Jesus answered his prayer. One 
day in the year 1252, when he was traveling on the 
road from Como to Milan, he was struck down by 
an impious assassin, a member of an heretical sect. 
As the blood from the wound in his forehead 
streamed over his white habit, the stricken saint 
made one supreme act of faith and recited the 
Apostles' Creed. As the last breath left his dying 
body, he uttered these words: "I believe in life ever- 
lasting, amen." The Church now venerates him 
among her saints, under the name of Saint Peter, 
Martyr. 

FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI 

The feast of Corpus Christ! was instituted by Urban IV in the 
thirteenth century to give greater honor to the Blessed Eucharist 



THE WORD OF GOD 123 

The joyful liturgy of the feast compensates for the more subdued 
commemoration of the institution of the Blessed Sacrament on 
Holy Thursday in the midst of the sorrows of the passion. Today,, 
the Eucharist is solemnly exposed for adoration of the faithful, 
and is carried in triumph in devout processions. This feast has, 
therefore, the character of a public profession of faith in the Real 
Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The prayers of the 
Church, laden with profound teaching and poetic beauty, were 
written by the "Angelic Doctor," Saint Thomas Aquinas. 

THE EUCHARIST 

"At that time, Jesus said to the multitudes of the Jews: 
My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He 
that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, 
and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I 
live by the Father, so he that eateth Me, the same also shall 
live by Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. 
Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that 
eateth this bread shall live forever. ,, John vi, 56-59. 

THE human heart would not have been satis- 
fied if Jesus had left only a remembrance, a 
symbol, or an image of Himself. A mother's 
picture, a lock of her hair, her rosary, do not satisfy 
the heart of the child after the mother is dead. Such 
a symbol or a remembrance is a torture rather than 
a comfort. Love demands presence. Therefore, 
Jesus has instituted this Sacrament of Love, in which 
He really remains in our midst. What matters it 
that we do not see Him? We know that He is there 
present and truly lives under the sacramental veils; 
and these veils are, indeed, very thin to the soul that 
has faith. "O Jesus," exultingly sings the Church, 
"O Jesus, Thou art veiled, but yet I see Thee I" 
Jesus has taken the form of food and drink in 



124 THE WORD OF GOD 

order that we may unite ourselves most intimately 
with Him, in order that He may become one with 
us. Who, indeed, can separate us from Jesus after 
Holy Communion? Not even the power of Heaven 
nor the depths of the earth, neither anguish nor per- 
secution, nor life nor death, can separate us from 
the Charity of Christ. The word of God is infallible. 
"He that eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, 
abideth in Me and I in him." 1 

The Eucharist is a remembrance of the passion 
of our Lord. It is a sacrament instituted in sorrow, 
It is a testament written in blood. The Blessed 
Eucharist has infinite power, therefore, to inspire in 
us the spirit of sacrifice. The Church has no stronger 
inspiration to strengthen the wills of those heroic 
souls who wish to devote themselves entirely to the 
service of the Lord than the Body and Blood of Jesus 
Christ. O, how sad would that morning be for them 
on which they were not refreshed at the Holy Table ! 
How sad, indeed, would be that evening on which 
they were not consoled by a visit to the Blessed Sac- 
rament! And today the Church calls to her altars 
even the children. The Innocent Lamb of God 
wishes to unite Himself with the souls of innocent 
children, to strengthen them before the breath of 
sin contaminates them. "Suffer children to come to 
Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the king- 
dom of God." 2 

Christ comes for the last time in the Blessed Sac- 
rament to the dying Christian. Every human com- 
fort then is vain. Christ is the one Hope, the only 

'John vi, 57. 
2 Luke xviii, 16. 



THE WORD OF GOD 125 

Consoler. He hears the words of the priest: "Re- 
ceive, O brother, the Viaticum for your difficult jour- 
ney, the shield in your last battle." And with Jesus 
in his heart, the Christian peacefully composes him- 
self, awaiting eternal happiness. And so from the 
beginning to the end of his exile is the devout Cath- 
olic near to God, awaiting with confidence the final 
union with Him in Heaven. "He that eateth this 
Bread shall live forever." * 

* * * 

The Blessed Eucharist is a Hidden Fire which 
has always inflamed souls with the love of God. 
Saint Teresa called the Blessed Sacrament, "Para- 
dise on Earth." When she received Holy Com- 
munion, her afflictions, temptations and darkness of 
spirit vanished as clouds before the sun. Saint 
Alphonsus, in his early years, in the midst of his 
occupations as a lawyer, found time to visit Jesus in 
the Blessed Sacrament every day, envying, in a man- 
ner, the flowers that could be so close to the taber- 
nacle and the candles which melted before it. He 
began his career as a writer with that most valuable 
book, "Visits to the Blessed Sacrament," which, 
translated into all languages, is even today the 
delight of pious souls. 

When Saint Philip Neri was dying, the Blessed 
Sacrament was carried into his room. The saint was 
enraptured, and cried out with joy, "Behold my 
Love, behold my God! Give me quickly my Love!" 
Then he burst into tears. "My Lord, I am not 
worthy, nor was I ever worthy. I have never done 

^ohn vi, 59. 



126 THE WORD OF GOD 

any good." And then Cardinal Frederick Borromeo 
approached him with the Sacred Host, his face was 
transfigured as he breathed his last prayer : "Come, 
O Lord." And Jesus came. 

You, also, Christian soul, are accustomed to 
receive Holy Communion. By a careful prepara- 
tion and a fervent thanksgiving, you may make ready 
for the last visit of Jesus to you. 



SUNDAY AFTER THE FEAST OF CORPUS 

CHRISTI 

THE SACRED HEART 

"At that time, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees this parable: 
A certain man made a great supper, and invited many. And 
he sent his servant, at the hour of supper, to say to them 
that were invited, that they should come, for now all things 
are ready. And they began all at once to make excuse. The 
first said to him, I have bought a farm, and must needs go 
out and see it; I pray thee, hold me excused. And another 
said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to try them ; 
I pray thee, hold me excused. And another said, I have mar- 
ried a wife, and therefore I cannot come. And the servant 
returning, told these things to his lord. Then the master of 
the house being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into 
the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, 
and the feeble and the blind, and the lame. And the servant 
said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there 
is room. And the lord said to the servant, Go out into the 
highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my 
house may be filled. But I say unto you, that none of these 
men that were invited shall taste of my supper." Luke xiv, 
16-24. 

The significance of this parable is evident. Jesus 
has invited all mankind to partake of the Bread of 
Angels, and there are many who ignore His invita- 
tion. The most ungrateful are they who have 
received an abundance of gifts, genius, riches and 

127 



128 THE WORD OF GOD 

honors. The pretexts on which they decline the in- 
vitation to the banquet are most trifling. " 4 I have 
bought a farm, and I must needs go out and see it ; I 
pray thee hold me excused/ And another said, 'I 
have bought five yoke of oxen and I go to try them; 
I pray thee hold me excused.' " * The slights from 
those who should love Him most are for Jesus much 
more painful than the wounds which He received in 
His scourging. Neglect and bitter rebuffs from those 
who profess to be His friends, and black ingratitude 
instead of warm, filial acceptance of His gentle in- 
vitation, wound and tear His Sacred Heart. There 
is no torment more keenly cutting or more deeply 
wounding than indifference and disdain from those 
we love. Because, therefore, the favored ones refuse 
to answer the invitation, Jesus seeks his guests from 
among the poor and the humble, and they fill the 
places at his table. "O Father," rejoices Jesus, . . . 
"Thou hast hidden these things from the wise and 
prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones." 2 

When Jesus was abandoned by all during His 
agony in the garden, He was enduring all the pains 
of martyrdom in His Sacred Heart. He had wished 
to have His Apostles with Him, but they forsook 
Him and passed the time in sleep. They could not 
even watch a single hour w r ith Him. Only one of 
the Apostles was watching, and this one, the traitor, 
was making plans to betray Him. 

Jesus is forsaken and abandoned even today. Not 
only in the small churches of the country is He 
alone for a great part of the time, but even in the 

*Luke iv, 18, 19. 
2 Luke x, 21. 



THE WORD OF GOD 129 

city churches, in magnificent cathedrals and in grand 
basilicas, the Prisoner of Love is left in solitude. 
One small light is burning before the tabernacle, a 
meagre recompense for the darkness in ungrateful 
hearts. It seems that His friends are sleeping, while 
His enemies are plotting and offending Him. O 
that souls would watch with Him Who is left alone, 
in order to make reparation for the ingratitude and 
the insults of those who forget Him ! 

* * * 

While Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque was pray- 
ing one day before the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord 
appeared to her. On His breast was visible His 
Sacred Heart, glowing with fire, and encircled by a 
crown of thorns. She could also see the wound made 
by the spear which pierced His side. "Behold the 
Heart," Jesus said to her, "that has loved men so 
much and has given every proof of this love ! And 
in return I receive indifference and ingratitude. 
That which wounds Me the most is the coldness and 
indifference of those who should show Me a special 
devotion. I ask that the first Friday after the octave 
of the Feast of Corpus Christi be observed as a spe- 
cial feast in reparation for the insults which I have 
received in the Blessed Sacrament." 

The promises of Jesus to Saint Margaret Mary in 
favor of those devoted to His Sacred Heart are 
most consoling: 

"i. I will give them all the graces necessary for 
their state of life. 

2. I will give peace to their families. 

3. I will console them in all their afflictions. 



130 THE WORD OF GOD 

4. I will be their secure refuge in life and more 
especially at their death. 

5. I will bestow abundant blessings on all their 
undertakings. 

6. Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and 
infinite ocean of mercy. 

7. Tepid souls shall become fervent. 

8. Fervent souls shall rise to high perfection. 

9. I will bless the homes in which the image of My 
Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honored. 

10. I will give to priests the gift of moving the 
most hardened hearts. 

11. Persons who propagate this devotion shall have 
their names inscribed in My Heart never to be 
effaced from It. 

12. I promise thee in the excess of the mercy of My 
Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to 
all those who receive Holy Communion on the 
first Friday of every month for nine consecu- 
tive months, the grace of final perseverance and 
they shall not die under My displeasure, nor 
without receiving the sacraments, and that My 
Heart shall be their secure refuge of that last 
hour." 

Devotion to the Sacred Heart has now extended 
throughout all the world. Next Friday, the feast 
of the Sacred Heart, Jesus wishes you also, O Chris- 
tian, to be among those who approach the altar. He 
invites you today. Do not allow your thoughts to 
be entirely taken up with the interests of the world, 
but for a few moments, at least, think of Him. 



FEAST OF THE HOLY APOSTLES PETER 

AND PAUL 

SAINT PETER AND THE POPE 

"At that time, Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea 
Philippi, and He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men 
say that the Son of Man is? But they said, Some, John the 
Baptist, and other some, Elias, and others Jeremias or one 
of the prophets. Jesus saith to them, But whom do you say 
that I am ? Simon Peter answered, and said, Thou art Christ, 
the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him, 
Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood 
hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in 
heaven : and I say to thee, That thou art Peter, and upon 
this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall 
not prevail against it ; and I will give to thee the keys of the 
kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon 
earth, it shall be bound also in heaven ; and whatsoever thou 
shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven." Mat- 
thew xvi, 13-19. 

THERE were many false notions about Jesus. 
Some thought that He was John the Baptist 
miraculously returned to the world to preach 
penance. Others were of the opinion that He was 
one of the prophets. 

Only the Apostle Simon, son of Jonas, had 
received the great revelation from the Father. Jesus 
was not the Precursor, but He was the Messias 
Himself, the only begotten Son of the Most High 

131 



132 THE WORD OF GOD 

God. Simon replied to the question of the Lord in 
regard to His identity with that wonderful profes- 
sion of faith which, as Saint Leo the Great says, 
resounds unceasingly, "Thou art Christ, the Son of 
the living God." 1 "Jesus answering said to him . . . 
4 Thou art Peter; and upon this rock, I will build 
My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail 
against it.' " 2 The Lord changed the name of Simon 
to Peter, which in the Aramaic language that Christ 
spoke means "rock." Peter is the rock on which 
Christ is to build His Church. "And I will give to 
thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And what- 
soever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound 
also in Heaven : and whatsoever thou shalt loose on 
earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven." 3 Saint 
Optatus, Bishop of Milevis in Numidia in the fourth 
century, observes that it is somewhat startling to 
note that of all the Apostles, the one to whom Christ 
gave the keys was the one who in a moment of weak- 
ness had denied Him. Saint Optatus further remarks 
that this is providential, because the sinner will open 
the doors to the innocent, and it might happen that 
the innocent would close the doors against the sinner. 
At the death of Saint Peter, the power represented 
by the keys passed to the Pontiff who succeeded to 
Saint Peter's chair, and thus down through the cen- 
turies it has continued to the present time. Two 
names are written across the pages of history, Rome 
and the Pope, — the Pope because of Saint Peter, 
and Rome because of the Pope. The City of the 

3 Matthew xvi, 16. 
8 Matthew xvi, 17, 18. 
8 Mathetw xvi, 19. 



THE WORD OF GOD 133 

Caesars, dread mistress of the world, has become the 
City of the Soul, the City of all souls. "Happy 
Rome," sings the vesper hymn, "consecrated by the 
blood of the most glorious of the Apostles!" "Thy 
spiritual beauty shall never fade." "I marvel at this 
city," wrote Saint John Chrysostom, "not for the 
treasures of its gold and marble, but because of her 
jewels that sparkle with splendor, the tomb of Saint 
Peter, Prince of the Apostles, and the tomb of Saint 
Paul, Apostle of the Gentiles." 

The Pope is the Vicar of Jesus Christ, the pastor 
of all the flock, the centre of unity of the Catholic 
Church. Because of this fact, the Papacy has been 
the centre of violent storms from the very beginning 
of the Church's existence. The first Christians 
prayed for Saint Peter in prison, — "prayer was 
made without ceasing by the Church unto God for 
him." 1 The present members of the Church should 
pray for the Holy Father, that the Lord preserve 
him and make him blessed upon earth, and deliver 
him not up to the will of his enemies. 

History tells of a celebrated utterance made at 
the Council of Chalcedon. Six hundred and thirty 
bishops from all parts of the world were in attend- 
ance. They were listening with great veneration to a 
letter from the distant Pontiff, Saint Leo the Great. 
At the end of the letter, the fathers, deeply moved, 
cried out in one accord: "Peter has spoken through 
the voice of Leo." We must receive the word of the 
Holy Father with like veneration on every occasion. 

*Acts xii, 5. 



FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 
THE MIRACULOUS DRAUGHT OF FISHES 

"At that time, when the multitude pressed upon Jesus to 
hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Genesareth. 
And He saw two ships standing by the lake; but the fisher- 
men were gone out of them, and were washing their nets; 
and going up into one of the ships that was Simon's, He 
desired him to draw back a little from the land : and sitting 
He taught the multitudes out of the ship. Now when He 
had ceased to speak, He said to Simon, Launch out into the 
deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon, 
answering, said to Him, Master, we have labored all the 
night and have taken nothing, but at Thy word I will let 
down the net. And when they had done this, they enclosed 
a very great multitude of fishes ; and their net broke ; and they 
beckoned to their partners that were in the other ship, that 
they should come and help them; and they came, and filled 
both the ships, so that they were almost sinking. Which when 
Simon Peter saw, he fell down at Jesus's knees, saying, De- 
part from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was 
wholly astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught 
of fishes which they had taken : and so were also James and 
John, the sons of Zebedee, who were Simon's partners. And 
Jesus saith to Simon, Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt 
catch men. And having brought their ships to land, leaving 
all things they followed Him." Luke v, 1-11. 

THE goodness of Jesus and the divine truth of 
His teachings influenced all hearts. People 
thronged about Him to hear His words, and 
He spoke to them from Peter's boat, instructing and 
encouraging them. 

134 



THE WORD OF GOD 135 

When He had ceased to speak, He said to 
Simon: "Launch out into the deep, and let down 
your nets for a draught. And Simon, answering, 
said to Him, 'Master, we have labored all the night 
and have taken nothing, but at Thy word I will let 
down the net.' " 1 The net scarcely sank into the 
water when he suddenly felt it become heavy. The 
large draught of fishes filled him with amazement. 
The boats were filled nearly to the sinking point. A 
ray of light illumined the mind of the poor fisher- 
man. He then understood who Jesus was, and kneel- 
ing before the Lord, he cried in one of those warm, 
characteristic utterances: "Depart from me, for I 
am a sinful man." 2 But Jesus reassured him, say- 
ing: "Fear not: from henceforth thou shalt catch 
men." 3 Peter was to be Christ's Apostle. As the 
multitude then thronged about Christ, so would it 
one day throng about Peter. The bark of Peter was 
to be the Church of Christ. 

"The net of Peter," observes Saint Ambrose, 
"takes souls from the depths and carries them to 
light. It reaches silently among the tumultous waves 
evein to the abyss and carries souls on high, not to kill 
them, but to save them." 

Jesus is in the bark of Peter today. The realiza- 
tion of this fact is most important for those outside 
the Church who are seeking the truth. It is to the 
bark of Peter that they must turn for salvation. 

Two years ago, an Anglican wrote these memor- 
able words: "The appeal to union can come only 

'Luke v, 4, 5. 
2 Luke v, 8. 
8 Luke v, 10. 



136 THE WORD OF GOD 

from Rome. Our eyes are turned to the Supreme 
Pastor, and we listen to His voice from the tombs of 
Peter and of Paul. In the midst of our divisions in 
the east and in the west, our cry is always back to 
the first Pontiff.'' 

Saint Ambrose expresses the same idea in a more 
striking manner: "Where Peter is, there is the 
Church; and where the Church is, there is life and 
not death." 



FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 
FRATERNAL CHARITY 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Except your 
justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, 
you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. You have 
heard that it was said to them of old (in the law of Moses), 
Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill, shall be in 
danger of the judgment. But I say to you, that whosoever 
is (even) angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the 
judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (a 
word of extreme insult), shall be in danger of the council; 
and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of 
hell fire. If therefore thou offer thy gift at the altar, and 
there thou remember that thy brother hath anything against 
thee, leave there thy offering before the altar, and go first to 
be reconciled to thy brother ; and then coming thou shalt offer 
thy gift." Matthew v, 20-24. 

THE fifth commandment of the Old Law 
imposed a severe penalty for any bodily 
injury to another. The New Law is more 
especially concerned with the peace and safety of 
the soul. A Christian may not even get angry with 
his brother. Anger is a tempest which embroils 
hearts and fills them with rancor and hatred. 
"Influenced by this passion," says Saint Augustine, 
"the tongue becomes a sword which pierces and 
kills." 

Slander, insults, threats, inflict real wounds on 

137 



138 THE WORD OF GOD 

our neighbors and also on ourselves, because just as 
much grief and harm as we cause them, just so much 
evil do we bring on our own souls. Jesus tells us 
to consider that the one whom we are wounding is 
our own brother, son of the same Father. "Let not 
the sun go down upon your anger," 1 says Saint Paul. 
[We must not sleep even one night with resentment in 
our hearts. We must exchange greetings with our 
brother, meet him with a smile, and we shall feel 
our hearts expand with joy and gladness. 

If we are the offender, why should we delay in 
making reparation for the injury which we have 
committed? We have enkindled a fire which we, 
alone, can extinguish. We must act at once, for we 
should not permit the fire to rage. 

If, instead of offending, we have been offended, 
why should we not pardon the injury? How can we 
kneel before our Heavenly Father asking Him to 
forgive us our trespasses while we, ourselves, do not 
forgive those who trespass against us ? 

Therefore, offender and offended, while our souls 
are overcast by the shadow of sin, we may not pre- 
sent ourselves before the altar. Each of us shall go 
first in search of the other, generously overcoming 
our inclinations in the name of Him Who gave His 
life for His executioners, Who gave His life for us. 
Then we may approach the altar, and Jesus will open 
His arms to us. 

* * * 

There is a story which takes us back to the first 
decade of the eleventh century. John Gualbert, a 

a Ephesians iv, 26. 



THE WORD OF GOD 139 

noble and brilliant Florentine knight, was saddened 
by the death of Hugo, his only brother, killed by a 
bitter rival. Burning with anger at the loss of his 
brother and the injury to his family, John Gualbert 
swore revenge. Traveling one day with his soldiers, 
he met his brother's murderer unarmed and on foot. 
The pathway was narrow, flight was impossible. 
The murderer realized that he was lost. In a mo- 
ment he would feel the sword of the angry Floren- 
tine. He fell on his knees and opened his arms in 
the form of a cross, almost as if preparing for 
death. The day was Good Friday, and the pos- 
ture of his enemy brought to Gualbert' s mind the 
death of Jesus on the cross. How could he kill this 
man on the day on which the Saviour had opened His 
arms and granted pardon to those who were putting 
Him to death ? He threw down the sword and for- 
gave his enemy. A short time afterwards, with his 
heart still trembling with emotion, Gualbert entered 
the neighboring church of San Miniato. He knelt at 
the foot of the crucifix, and through the mist of his 
tears he saw Jesus on the cross bowing His head to- 
wards him, as if to return to him the kiss of peace 
which he had given to his enemy. His eyes were then 
opened to the vanities of the world, and he decided 
to abandon the comforts and to cast aside the honors 
which his position gave him. He renounced every- 
thing, and fled to Camaldoli, a silent hermitage in 
the mountains. He was afterwards the founder of 
the Vallombrosan Congregation of religious. On 
the twelfth day of July of each year, the Church cele- 
brates his feast as Saint John Gualbert. 



SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 
THE MULTIPLICATION OF THE LOAVES 

"At that time, when there was a great multitude with 
Jesus, and had nothing to eat, calling His disciples together 
He saith to them, I have compassion on the multitude, for 
behold they have now been with Me three days, and have 
nothing to eat; and if I shall send them away fasting to their 
homes they will faint in the way, for some of them came from 
afar off. And His disciples answered Him, From whence 
can any one fill them here with bread in the wilderness? 
And He asked them, How many loaves have ye? who said, 
Seven. And He commanded the people to sit down on the 
ground. And taking the seven loaves, giving thanks He 
broke, and gave to His disciples to set before them ; and they 
set them before the people. And they had a few little fishes, 
and He blessed them, and commanded them to be set before 
them. And they did eat, and were filled; and they took up 
that which was left of the fragments, seven baskets: and 
they that had eaten were about four thousand : and He sent 
them away." Mark viii, 1-9. 

THE great miracle of the multiplication of the 
loaves typifies what occurs every day in the 
Church. Jesus refreshes tired souls today 
with the Bread of life. "I am the Living Bread 
which came down from Heaven. If any man eat of 
this bread, he shall live forever and the bread that I 
will give is My flesh for the life of the world." 1 

'John vi, 51, 52. 

140 



THE WORD OF GOD 141 

If Jesus had not Himself remained with us, the 
most venerated sanctuaries would have been those 
places which He had once visited. 

But Jesus has remained with us in the most Holy 
Sacrament of the altar. It is not necessary, there- 
fore, to cross the sea and make a pilgrimage to the 
East. We are not obliged to visit that portion of 
Palestine where the angels sang, "Glory to God in 
the highest and on earth peace to men of good 
will." * Here in our very midst, He has made His 
home on our altars, and here we may adore Him 
and love Him. 

When Moses approached the miraculously burn- 
ing bush, he heard this voice : "Put off the shoes from 
thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy 
ground." 2 With what veneration, therefore, should 
we enter the house of God and approach the altar! 
Our souls should be as immaculate as a ray of light, 
and our hearts as pure as if cleansed with spiritual 
fire. And thus the Blessed Sacrament will be our 
Paradise on earth, giving us a foretaste of the joys 
which await us in Heaven. The joys of the future 
life are anticipated here not alone for one fleeting 
moment when we receive Holy Communion. We 
may go to Jesus in the tabernacle at any time. He 
gladly welcomes us and consoles us. 

When the priest raises the Sacred Host before 
Holy Communion saying, "Behold the Lamb of 
God," Saint Catherine of Genoa was accustomed to 

repeat to herself: "Quickly, O Lord, come quickly." 

■ ■ 

"Luke 11, 14. 
Exodus iii, 5. 



142 THE WORD OF GOD 

She could scarcely endure that brief interval between 
seeing Him and receiving Him. 

* * 5jC 

Sister Anna of the Cross, formerly Countess of 
Feria, a noble lady of Spain, was left a widow at 
twenty-four years of age. She became a nun in the 
convent of Saint Clara in Montiglia, thus devoting 
herself to a Spouse Who would never leave her. She 
could see the altar of the Blessed Sacrament from 
her small cell near the tribune of the church and 
thus she could pass all day with Jesus. She was 
asked how she could pass so many hours before the 
tabernacle, and she gave this memorable answer: 
"I adore Him, I thank Him, I love Him, I beseech 
Him." We may meditate on this response. Before 
the altar, the thought of gratitude will inspire us 
with love, and love will render more precious our 
prayer. 



SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

THE WILL OF GOD 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Beware of false 
prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but in- 
wardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall 
know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of this- 
tles? Even so, every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, 
and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot 
bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth 
good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit 
shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. Wherefore 
by their fruits you shall know them. Not every one that saith 
to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; 
but he that doth the will of My Father Who is in heaven, he 
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew vii, 15-21. 

NO one enters into the Kingdom of Heaven if 
he has not on earth fulfilled the will of God. 
God requires of His creatures perfect obedi- 
ence. At His will, the heavens smile or frown, the 
sea is calm or enraged, the earth is peaceful or 
troubled. And just as inanimate creation must, per- 
force, observe God's law, so intelligent man, the 
king of creation, should voluntarily conform Him- 
self to the will of his Creator. God wishes willing 
obedience, for more glory is given to Him by one 
intelligent mind which adores Him, one free will 
that inclines towards Him, than all the stars cours- 

143 



144 THE WORD OF GOD 

ing the firmament that know not Him whose glory 
they proclaim. 

The Lord taught us this prayer : "Thy will be done 
on earth as it is in Heaven." * In Heaven, there is 
not one discordant voice, not even one angel who 
does not love, adore and carry out the will of God. 
We delude ourselves, therefore, if we think that we 
shall one day be admitted to a place with the angels 
if on earth we do not obey the will of God. 

Religion, for many of us, consists only in calling 
ourselves "Christians." We repeat with our lips, 
"Lord, Lord," but the observance of God's law 
requires something more than words. By our 
words we may resemble the sheep of the flock, but 
by our lives, unfortunately, we may resemble the 
wolves. 

The disobedience of some is evident. The dress 
they wear, the magazines they read, their entire 
manner of living, contradicts the law of God. "O 
woman," writes Tertullian, "cultivate the virtue of 
modesty. If you are a mother, because of respect 
for your children; if you are a sister, because of 
respect for your brothers; if you are a daughter, 
because of respect for your father and your brothers. 
All ages are in danger on your account." 

If, therefore, you call yourself a Catholic and you 
do not the works of a Catholic, either change your 
life or change your name. Not the one who repeats, 
"Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of 
Heaven, but he that doth the will of My Father 

Matthew vi, 10. 



THE WORD OF GOD 145 

Who is in Heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom 
of Heaven." 1 

* * # 

God had decreed the destruction of the people of 
Amalec, a bloodthirsty and cruel race. He sent Saul, 
the king of Juda, to punish them, but against the 
wish of God treasures and flocks were seized as 
booty by the avenging army. God then sent Samuel, 
the prophet, to the camp of the victors. "And when 
Samuel was come to Saul, Saul said to him: 'Blessed 
be thou of the Lord, I have fulfilled the word of the 
Lord.' And Samuel said, 'What meaneth then this 
bleating of the flocks which soundeth in my ears, and 
the lowing of the herds which I hear?' " 2 And Saul 
with subtle falsehood answered, " 'the people spared 
the best of the sheep and of the herds that they 
might be sacrificed to the Lord thy God.' And 
Samuel said, 'When thou wast a little one in thy own 
eyes . . . the Lord anointed thee to be king over 
Israel. . . . For as much therefore as thou hast re- 
jected the word of the Lord, the Lord hath also re- 
jected thee from being king.' " 3 Some time later, 
Saul was defeated on Mount Gelboe, and the sceptre 
of Juda passed to David, the chosen one of the Lord. 

"Obedience is better than sacrifices; and to harken 
rather than to offer the fat of rams." 4 



Matthew vii, 21. 
2 I Kings xv, 13, 14. 
3 I Kings xv, 15-23. 
4 I Kings xv, 22. 



EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

. THE UNJUST STEWARD 

"At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: 
There was a certain rich man who had a steward ; and the 
same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods; 
and he called him, and said to him, How is it that I hear 
this of thee? Give an account of thy stewardship, for now 
thou canst be steward no longer. And the steward said 
within himself, What shall I do, because my lord taketh 
away from me the stewardship? To dig I am not able: to 
beg I am ashamed. I know what I will do, that when I shall 
be put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their 
houses. Therefore calling together every one of his lord's 
debtors, he said to the first, How much dost thou owe my 
lord ? But he said, A hundred barrels of oil. And he said 
to him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. 
Then he said to another, And how much dost thou owe? 
Who said, A hundred quarters of wheat. He said to him, 
Take thy bill and write eighty. And the lord commended 
the unjust steward, for as much as he had done wisely; for 
the children of this world are wiser in their generation than 
the children of light. And I say to you, Make unto you 
friends of the mammon of iniquity, that when you shall fail, 
they may receive you into everlasting dwellings." Luke xvi, 
1-9. 

THIS parable calls to the attention of the good 
the shrewdness of the wicked. The unjust 
steward realizes that the day on which he 
must render an account of his stewardship is at hand. 

146 



THE WORD OF GOD 147 

He therefore provides for the future by making 
friends for himself with the money of his master. 
The Christian should follow the example of the 
steward not in his injustice and dishonesty, but in his 
foresight in providing for the future. He should 
use the means at his disposal to make friends with 
the poor of Christ, and thus insure himself for 
eternity. 

The money and the other possessions which we 
treasure so highly are not ours forever. The Great 
Master of all things will some day take them from 
us, and we shall be left poor and naked, as we were 
born. Men succeed one another in the possession of 
riches as officials succeed one another in the admin- 
istration of a business. They have no other function 
than to procure the greatest return on the goods 
which they have received. The greater our wealth 
and opportunities, the greater number of good works 
must we perform. We should remember that the day 
on which we must render our account is near at hand. 
"And unto whomsoever much is given, of him much 
shall be required." * 

Money is, for the most part, for men an occasion 
of sin, a snare of Satan. Therefore the Lord calls it 
"the mammon of iniquity." 2 It can be, however, a 
fruitful source of blessings and a key to Paradise. 
"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is mer- 
ciful. . . . Give, and it shall be given to you. . . . For 
with the same measure that you shall mete withal, 
it shall be measured to you again." * We should 

J Luke xii, 48. 
^uke xvi, 9. 
3 Luke vi, 36-38. 



148 THE WORD OF GOD 

remember that while we are helping the poor they 
are helping us. The prayers of the widow and the 
orphan ascend to the tribunal of God, and the 
answer to those prayers falls in a gentle rain of 
blessings on their benefactors. Wherefore the 
Scripture says : "Water quencheth a flaming fire and 
alms resisteth sins." 1 

When Tobias thought that he was about to die, 
one of the admonitions which he gave to his son 
was, "Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not 
away thy face from any poor person; for so it shall 
come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be 
turned from thee. According to thy ability, be mer- 
ciful. If thou have much, give abundantly; if thou 
have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a 
little, for thus thou storest up to thyself a good 
reward for the day of necessity. For alms deliver 
from all sin and from death, and will not suffer the 
soul to go into darkness." 2 

When Jesus was passing through the city of 
Jericho, a man who was unable to see Him because 
of the crowd ran forward and mounted a tree. The 
man was Zacheus, a usurer, and the leader of the 
publicans. When the Saviour came to the place, "He 
saw him and said to him, 'Zacheus, make haste and 
come down, for this day I must abide in thy 
house.' " 3 The bystanders murmured at this, say- 
ing, "He was gone to be a guest with a man that was 
a sinner." 4 But Zacheus was already converted, and 
he at once made that generous resolve which so con- 



1 Ecclesiasticus iii, 33. 
'Tobias iv, 7-11. 
8 Luke xix, 5. 
4 Luke xix, 7. 



THE WORD OF GOD 149 

soled the Lord, " 'the half of my goods I give to 
the poor, and if I have wronged any man of any- 
thing, I restore him fourfold.' Jesus said to him: 
'This day is salvation come to this house.' " x 

The Saviour wishes also to abide, O Christian soul, 
in your house. He wishes to enter into your heart. 
He desires to come not as a Judge but as a merciful 
Father. Open your heart at once to receive Him, 

and on "this day is salvation come to this house." 2 

t ' ■ 

J Luke xix, 9. 
2 Luke xix, 9. 



NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

THE EXPULSION OF THE TRADESMEN 
FROM THE TEMPLE 

"At that time, when Jesus drew near to Jerusalem, seeing 
the city, He wept over it, saying, If thou also hadst known, 
and that in this thy day the things that are to thy peace; but 
now they are hidden from thy eyes. For the days shall come 
upon thee, and thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and 
compass thee round, and straiten thee on every side, and beat 
thee flat to the ground, and thy children who are in thee; 
and they shall not leave in thee a stone upon a stone, be- 
cause thou hast not known the time of thy visitation (by the 
Saviour) . And entering into the temple, He began to cast out 
them that sold therein, and them that bought, saying to them, 
It is written, My house is the house of prayer, but you have 
made it a den of thieves. And He was teaching daily in the 
temple. ,, Luke xix, 41-47. 

JESUS views Jerusalem from Mount Olivet, and 
His heart is filled with sadness. u And when He 
drew near, seeing the city, He wept over it." l 
In a short time He is to enter the Holy City, where 
He is to be joyfully received and welcomed. The 
multitude are to cast palms and flowers before Him 
and are to cry, " 'Hosanna to the Son of David. 
Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord; 
Hosanna in the highest.' n 2 And yet Jesus weeps. 

a Luke xix, 41. 
2 Matthew xxi, 9. 

150 



THE WORD OF GOD 151 

All the Jewish world, of which Jerusalem is the cap- 
ital, is to be destroyed. "Jerusalem that killest the 
prophets" * and that is now to crucify the Redeemer 
is not to have left a "stone upon a stone." 2 God is 
to inflict awful punishment. The Mosaic Law as in- 
terpreted by the lives of the Pharisees is nothing but 
a mockery. The magnificent temple, respendent with 
gold and marble, is no longer used for prayer. It is 
in the power of a group of usurers and bargainers. 

"And Jesus went into the temple of God and cast 
out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and 
overthrew the tables of the money-changers and the 
chairs of them that sold doves. And He saith to 
them, 'It is written: My house shall be called the 
house of prayer, but you have made it a den of 
thieves.' " 3 This is the first spark of that divine 
retribution which within forty years the legions of 
Rome with fire and sword will fully execute. 

Saint Ambrose exclaims in strikingly chiselled lan- 
guage: "Christ destroys the altars to erect to God 
one altar." The spouse of Christ is the Church, and 
the synagogue is entirely rejected. "Woe to you, 
scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites: because you shut 
the kingdom of Heaven against men, . . . because 
you devour the houses of widows praying long 
prayers." 4 Woe to those who persecute the Church, 
woe to those who defraud her, woe to those who 

malign her ! 

* * * 

At the very outbreak of the persecution of Va- 



^uke xiii, 34. 
2 Matthew xxiv, 2. 
3 Matthew xxi, 12, 13. 
4 Matthew xxiii, 13, 14. 



152 THE WORD OF GOD 

lerian, Pope Sixtus II and his deacons were con* 
demned to death for refusing to offer incense before 
the statue of Mars. The imperial prefect spared 
the life of the youngest deacon, Lawrence, because 
he hoped with wily cunning to take advantage of his 
youth. He wished to learn from Lawrence where the 
money of the poor was kept. He hoped to steal both 
the gold of the poor and the faith of the deacon.. 
Pope Sixtus consoled Lawrence as the holy Pontiff 
was on his way to martyrdom : "Do not think, son, 
that I am leaving you, for within three days you also 
will follow me. In the meanwhile, give all that we 
have to the poor." In a short time, the possessions 
of the Church had been distributed to the widows 
and orphans. And when the prefect summoned 
Lawrence to give up the treasures of the Church, the 
deacon surrounded by the poor appeared before the 
prefect and said to him: "These are the treasures of 
the Church." The anger of the prefect knew no 
bounds, but neither imprisonment, nor scourging, 
nor his martyrdom by being burned on the gridiron, 
broke the spirit of this intrepid youth. Much weaker 
was the flame that burned his body than the flame of 
love that was burning in his soul. With true Roman 
courage, he withstood the tyrant and told him that 
the poor had deposited the riches of the Church in 
Heaven. And thus he died, Saint Lawrence, mar- 
tyr of the faith and of the poor of Christ, on the 
tenth day of August in the year 261. 

They who think that they can destroy the ChurcK 
by confiscating her possessions should realize that 
she does not fear spoilation and she does not fear the 
sword. Saint John Chrysostom has said: "What 



THE WORD OF GOD 153 

Christ has built no one can destroy, and no one can 
build again what Christ has torn down. He has de-, 
stroyed the temple of Jerusalem and no one has been 
able to rebuild it He has established the Church, 
and no one has been able to destroy it." 

FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION OF THE 
BLESSED VIRGIN 

"At that time, Jesus entered into a certain town ; and a cer- 
tain woman, named Martha, received Him into her house: 
and she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the 
Lord's feet, heard His word. But Martha was busy about 
much serving ; who stood and said, Lord, hast Thou no care 
that my sister hath left me alone to serve? Speak to her, 
therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said 
to her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled 
about many things: but one thing is necessary. Mary hath 
chosen the best part which shall not be taken away from 
her." Luke x, 38-42. 

THE meaning of this passage from the Gospel 
is strikingly evident. The town which the 
Saviour enters is the small world in which 
we live. The woman who goes to meet Him and 
receives Him in her home is the most blessed of all 
women, Mary, the Mother of God. Mary fulfilled 
for Christ the offices of both Martha and Mary. 
She had the cares and anxieties of Martha, she had 
the prayerful devotion of Mary. From the day of 
the Annunciation when "the Word was made flesh 
and dwelt amongst us," 1 to the day on which the 
bruised and cruelly lacerated body of her crucified 

*John i, 14. 



154 THE WORD OF GOD 

Son was taken from the Cross, Mary's life was a 
constant oblation, a never ceasing sacrifice of self. 
But Mary joined with her life of active participation 
in the life and work of the Saviour the meditations 
of the contemplative life. She combined with the 
solicitude of Martha the delicacy of Mary. She is 
happy in close association with her Child, in feeling 
the warmth of His infinite love, in keeping His 
words as a treasure in her heart. She clothes Him 
with her poverty at His birth, she guards Him amid 
the dangers of exile, she watches over Him in the 
little home of Nazareth. She follows Him in His 
ministry throughout Judea and Galilee. She is with 
Him always, despite discomforts, despite sorrows, 
despite even her own martyrdom, in order to see 
Him and hear Him, following Him even to the 
Cross, when the sword prophesied by Simeon trans- 
fixed her soul. 

Mary had been born into the world without the 
stain of original sin on her soul. She was not sub- 
ject, therefore, to death, which is sin's punishment. 
She died not because of necessity, but, rather, to fol- 
low her divine Son even in this final act of love. Her 
virgin body did not undergo corruption, but by an 
anticipated resurrection it was triumphantly assumed 
into Heaven. 

"Daughter of Sion," sings the Church, "how 
beautiful and gentle thou art!" 1 "Thou soarest 
quickly and lightly, as a cloud of incense. The starry 
sky radiates with light under thy feet, and thou art 
seated, exalted, above the angels, near the throne 
of God." 2 



"Divine Office. 
2 Divine Office. 



THE WORD OF GOD 155 

"Mary hath chosen the best part," * and her 
choice is consecrated for eternity. 



A young man eighteen years of age had endured 
much ill-treatment from members of his own family. 
He had resolved to consecrate his life to the Blessed 
Virgin and despite opposition to this call which he 
encountered at home he made a pilgrimage on foot 
from Vienna to Rome to enter the Society of Jesus. 
This young man, Saint Stanislaus Kostka, is num- 
bered among the saints who have been most devoted 
to Mary. When her name was spoken, his very 
countenance proclaimed the love and joy he felt. 
"How could I not love her," he said, "for is she 
not my mother?" 

On the first of August, 1568, Stanislaus told his 
companions that the Madonna wished him to be in 
Heaven for the feast of the Assumption in order to 
assist at her triumph. On the evening of the feast of 
Saint Lawrence, the tenth of August, he became 
slightly ill. For four days he did nothing but long 
for Heaven, and cover with kisses his rosary and his 
picture of Mary. Finally he saw his Blessed Mother 
with a choir of angels approaching to take him to 
Heaven. And so in an ecstasy of joy, strengthened 
by the Blessed Sacrament, his face radiant with 
pleasure at the beauty of Mary's smile, Stanislaus 
closed his eyes in death to open them in life eternal. 
It was the morning of the fifteenth of August, the 
feast of the Assumption. Through the windows of 
the novitiate of Saint Andrew on the Quirinal Hill in 



*Luke x, 42. 



156 THE WORD OF GOD 

Rome, the first sound of the bells in the Church of 
Saint Mary Major joyously proclaimed the dawn of 
Mary's feast-day. In one of the rooms was the dead 
body of Saint Stanislaus, but his soul was already in 
Heaven. Smile, O Mother, on us who also yearn to 
be with thee. Keep our thoughts above with thee, 
now and at the hour of our death. 



TENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 
THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN 

"At that time, Jesus spoke this parable to some who trusted 
in themselves as just, and despised others: Two men went 
up into the temple to pray ; the one was a Pharisee, and the 
other a publican. The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with 
himself: O God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the 
rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers; as also is this 
publican. I fast twice in the week ; I give tithes of all that 
I possess. And the publican standing afar off, would not so 
much as lift up his eyes toward heaven, but struck his breast, 
saying, O God, be merciful to me a sinner. I say to you, 
this man went down to his house justified rather than the 
other : because every one that exalteth himself shall be hum- 
bled, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 
xviii, 9-14. 

BY this parable, Jesus wishes to teach us how we 
may obtain mercy from God. 
He places two men in contrast, one who 
believes himself to be a saint, the other who knows 
himself to be a sinner. The first, a Pharisee, devotes 
all his attention to the external observance of the 
law. If the law imposes only an annual fast, he fasts 
twice during the week. If it imposes tithes on the 
products of the fields and live stock, he extends this 
obligation also to the income from his property. 
Certainly, he should be able to have much merit 
before God. 

157 



158 THE WORD OF GOD 

But, however, he is proud and self-confident. He 
considers himself much superior to other men. The 
rest of men are sinners; he alone is just. He does 
not pray, for the haughty never pray. He does not 
believe that there is anything that he should ask of 
God. Instead, he exults and insults; he exults by 
praising and adoring himself, and insults the poor 
publican who truly prays. 

He comes down from the temple filled with pride. 
He has the idea that he is a saint, but his heart is 
still immersed in sin. 

The publican, on the contrary, realizes his own 
wretchedness. He knows that he has been an avari- 
cious usurer. He feels the weight of his iniquities, 
and does not dare to approach the sanctuary, does 
not even venture to raise his eyes to Heaven. He 
strikes his breast in sorrow, and from his grief-laden 
heart pours forth a prayer: " 'O God, be merciful 
to me a sinner.' " * He makes no reference to any 
other man. He conceives himself to be the most un- 
worthy of all, the farthest from God, the least 
deserving of God's mercy. 

But the more he humbles himself, the more does 
God incline toward him. The more hatred he con- 
ceives for his sins, the more grace God gives him, 
arousing in his breast a veritable tempest of remorse 
and repentance. And so he comes down from the 
temple with his heart raised up, with an untroubled 
conscience, reconciled with God. 

The lessons of this parable are exemplified in the 
conversion of the sinful woman of Capharnaum. 2 

^uke xviii, 13. 
2 Luke vii. 



THE WORD OF GOD 159 

Moved by the grace of God, heartsick at her life of 
sin, she had endeavored for some time to meet Jesus 
to obtain pardon. She desired once more to enjoy 
the friendship of God. She heard that the Saviour 
was at dinner in the house of a rich Pharisee, and, 
braving the anger of the Pharisee, she entered 
the room where the guests were assembled. The 
eyes that had sinned so much found Jesus, and 
she threw herself at His feet. Weeping bitterly, 
she bathed them with her tears "and wiped them 
with the hairs of her head." * 

Not a single word could she utter, but her every 
action, her entire being, was a public protestation of 
sorrow, devotion, and of unconquerable love, "rush- 
ing to trample down," as Saint Augustine says, "all 
human respect, to smother all the derision of the 
haughty Pharisees." Jesus, alone, understood her. 
His heart throbbed with infinite mercy. "And He 
said to her, 'Thy sins are forgiven thee . . . thy faith 
hath made thee safe, go in peace.' " 2 Mary Mag- 
dalene, the sinner of Capharnaum, rose up, burning 
with a greater love, already a saint. She had 
humbled herself in sorrow at the feet of the Saviour, 
and the Saviour had granted the forgiveness of her 
sins. 

We, also, have sinned much, and we, also, must 
humble ourselves at the feet of our Redeemer. We 
too shall experience the same loving, tender mercy 
of the Saviour; we too may become saints. 



*Luke vii, 38. 
2 Luke vii, 48-50. 



ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

THE HEALING OF THE DEAF MUTE 

"At that time, Jesus going out to the coasts of Tyre, came 
by Sidon to the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the 
coasts of Decapolis. And they bring to Him one deaf and 
dumb, and they besought Him that He would lay His hand 
upon him. And taking him from the multitude apart, He 
put His fingers into his ears, and spitting, He touched his 
tongue; and looking up to Heaven, he groaned and said 
to him, Ephpheta, that is, Be thou opened: and immedi- 
ately his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was 
loosed, and he spoke right. And He charged them that they 
should tell no man: but the more He charged them, so much 
the more a great deal did they publish it; and so much the 
more did they wonder, saying, He hath done all things well ; 
He hath made both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to 
speak." Mark vii, 31-37. 

JESUS is omnipotent. If, therefore, Jesus groans, 
it is not because of the difficulty of performing a 
miracle. He groans rather at the pitiful sight of 
fallen man, so horribly torn by sin. Man was not 
created thus ; he was created strong and healthy, free, 
from pain, full of grace and happiness. 

This poor, unhappy deaf mute is, therefore, a 
faint picture of our fallen nature. After the sin of 
Adam, without the grace of God man is no longer 
capable of hearing the voice of the Lord. He can- 
not even pronounce a single word helpful to life 

160 



THE WORD OF GOD 161 

eternal; he cannot utter a single efficacious prayer. 
Wherefore Jesus groans at the wretched plight of 
man. 

This miracle of the healing of the deaf mute is 
renewed in the Church every day in the sacrament 
of Baptism. The priest touches the ears of the one 
to be baptized, and in the name of Christ says, 
"Ephpheta," which is, "Be thou opened." Then 
with the salt of wisdom he sanctifies the tongue, that 
Satan may be renounced together with all his works 
and pomps. Then the priest pours the regenerating 
waters on the head of the one to be baptized, and 
original sin is washed away. The gates of Heaven 
are now open; the soul is on terms of intimate 
friendship with God. 

After Baptism, one of the most horrible afflic- 
tions that can beset a soul is spiritual dumbness. The 
sinner closes his mouth and hides his sin from the 
minister of God. Thus he retains and increases the 
guilt on his soul. From this sacrilegious silence 
comes spiritual depravity. The soul does not care 
to turn itself to the Lord. 

It is necessary that the good, in their charity, 
beseech Jesus and pray perseveringly for the deaf 
mute, that God may loosen his tongue, open his ears, 
and heal his soul. 



King David Had committed serious sins. God sent 
the prophet Nathan to him, who thus addressed him : 
"Thou hast killed Urias, the Hethite, with the 
sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife and 
hast slain him with the sword. . . . Therefore the 



162 THE WORD OF GOD 

sword shall never depart from thy house, because 
thou hast despised Me." * 

The king was overcome with grief and he passed 
much time in prayer and fasting. He has preserved 
his feelings of sorrow in a psalm that is most com- 
forting to all repentant souls, "Have mercy on me, 
O God, according to Thy great mercy. And accord- 
ing to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out 
my iniquity. Wash me yet more from my iniquity and 
cleanse me from my sin. I know my iniquity and my 
sin is always before me. To Thee only have I sinned 
and done evil before Thee. . . . Turn away Thy face 
from my sins and blot out all my iniquities . . . Cast 
me not away from Thy face and take not Thy holy 
spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of my sal- 
vation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit. . . . A 
contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not 
despise." 2 

And the Lord pardoned the sins of King David, 
although David was sentenced to endure severe tem- 
poral punishments. 

Saint Augustine reminds the Christian who is 
ashamed to confess his sins that it is to God that he 
must tell them. Such a man attempts to conceal his 
sins from God, Who knows all things. We must 
therefore confess our sins. We should grieve for the 
offenses we have committed against God as King 
David repented his sins, and like David, we also 
shall be pardoned. 



*II Kings xii, 9, 10. 



TWELFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 
THE GOOD SAMARITAN 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Blessed are the 
eyes that see the things which you see. For I say to you, that 
many prophets and kings have desired to see the things that 
you see, and have not seen them ; and to hear the things that 
you hear, and have not heard them. And behold a certain 
lawyer stood up, tempting Him, and saying, Master, what 
must I do to possess eternal life? But He said to him, 
What is written in the law? How readest thou? He an- 
swering, said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy 
whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with all thy 
strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thy- 
self. And He said to him, Thou hast answered rightly: 
this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify him- 
self (for asking the question), said to Jesus, And who is 
my neighbor? And Jesus answering, said, A certain man 
went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among rob- 
bers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him, went 
away, leaving him half dead: and it chanced that a certain 
(Jewish) priest went down the same way, and seeing him, 
passed by. In like manner also a Levite (minister in the tem- 
ple), when he was near the place and saw him, passed by. 
But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near 
him, and seeing him, was moved with compassion ; and going 
up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine; 
and, setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, 
and took care of him: and the next day he took out two 
pence, and gave to the host, and said, Take care of him, and 
whatsoever thou shalt spend over and above, I, at my return, 

163 



164 THE WORD OF GOD 

will repay thee. Which of these three in thy opinion, was 
neighbor to him that fell among robbers? But he said, He 
that showed mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go, and 
do thou in like manner." Luke x, 23-37. 

THE lawyer who with feigned reverence asked 
the Lord what it was necessary for him to do 
to possess eternal life, asked this question 
with the intention of ensnaring Jesus in His speech. 
He thought that Christ would give a direct answer 
to the question and thus explicitly assert His divin- 
ity. The malicious scribe would then accuse the Lord 
of blasphemy. Jesus confounded the questioner by 
obliging him to quote the precept of fraternal charity 
against himself at the very moment that he was 
breaking his precept. And when the scribe asked 
"Who is my neighbor?" 1 Jesus answered by pro- 
posing for his consideration the parable of the good 
Samaritan. And this parable, one of the most pre- 
cious gems of the Gospel, has an important lesson 
for us. 

Who is there who does not feel pity for this poor 
abandoned man, who had been beaten and robbed 
and left to die by the roadside? 

And yet, the first one to harden his heart against 
him was the Jewish priest, the guardian of the law. 
He passed by on the opposite side of the street, 
scarcely deigning to glance at the unfortunate man. 
"In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the 
place and saw him, passed by." 2 There came finally 
to the place, a Samaritan, a member of a cursed and 
hated race. "My soul," says a Jewish proverb, 

'Luke x, 29. 
3 Luke x, 32. 



THE WORD OF GOD 165 

"detests the Idumeans and the Philistines, but it 
abominates the foolish people that dwell in 
Samaria." This Samaritan finds himself before one 
of his enemies in misfortune. He had come from a 
distance. He was tired and travel-stained, and a 
long journey was still before him. Nevertheless, his 
heart was touched with pity. 

He dismounted, and with true charity knelt at the 
side of the wounded man, binding up his wounds as 
best he could. He placed him gently on his beast, 
and "brought him to an inn and took care of him." 1 
He did not even then give up the care of the unfor- 
tunate wayfarer to others. He paid for the sufferer's 
lodging until he should return. He wished himself 
to have the consolation of helping him in his trouble. 
This was the Samaritan's idea of charity. 

During a time such as that in which we have lived, 
in which man's hatred of man and man's selfishness 
has broken out in the most awful war that history 
records, it is well to reflect on the precept of Jesus; 
"that you love one another." 2 "As long as you did 
it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to 
me." 3 

Saint Gregory the Great welcomed pilgrims to 
Rome and received them into his monastery on the 
Celian Hill. On one occasion, he was startled to* 
notice the figure of the Saviour among the pilgrims 
to whom he had given refuge and comfort. 

Saint Martin, meeting a man benumbed with cold, 
took his cape from his shoulders, cut it in two pieces, 

'Luke x,34. 
2 John xiii, 34. 
'Matthew xxv, 40. 



166 THE WORD OF GOD 

and gave half of it to the stranger. That same night, 
Jesus, clothed in the same garment, appeared to 
Saint Martin saying, "It was I Whom you covered 
with this cloak." 

Jesus, the Divine Samaritan, has infused His own 
Precious Blood into our souls. He has given Him- 
self to us for our salvation. We ask Him in our 
daily prayers to "Forgive us our trespasses as we 
forgive those who trespass against us." We should, 
therefore, forgive those who have done evil against 
us. We should help our neighbor, for to us as to 
the questioner in the Gospel Jesus presents the ex- 
ample of the good Samaritan. Jesus tells us also, 
"Go and do thou in like manner." 1 



'Luke x, 37. 



THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

THE TEN LEPERS 

"At that time, as Jesus was going to Jerusalem, He 
passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee : and as He 
entered into a certain town, there met Him ten men that 
were lepers, who stood afar off, and lifted up their voice, 
saying, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. Whom when He 
saw, He said, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it 
came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And 
one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went 
back, with a loud voice, glorifying God: and he fell on his 
face before His feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samari- 
tan. And Jesus answering, said, Were not ten made clean? 
And where are the nine? There is no one found to return 
and give glory to God, but this stranger. And He said to 
him, Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole." 
Luke xvii, 11-19. 

WHEN the ten lepers saw Jesus surrounded by 
the multitude approaching along the dusty 
road, they all rushed towards Him. The 
Saviour's heart was touched with compassion at the 
sight of their pitiful condition. They were covered 
with sores and ulcers, and because of the danger of 
contagion they were avoided by everyone. They 
were forbidden by law to approach anyone, and they 
were permitted to speak with a person only from a 
distance after covering their mouths, in order not to 

167 



168 THE WORD OF GOD 

contaminate the air. This isolation continued until 
death or until a priest had certified that they had 
been cured of leprosy. 

Jesus wished to cure the ten lepers, and He said 
to them, " 'Go show yourselves to the priests.' And 
it came to pass, as they went, they were made 
clean." * Only one of them, however, showed any 
gratitude, — "And one of them, when he saw that he 
was made clean, went back with a loud voice glori- 
fying God, and he fell on his face before His feet, 
giving thanks." 2 Nor was this man instructed in 
religion as were the other nine. He was a Samari- 
tan, a poor, unlearned peasant from the most de- 
spised part of Palestine. Jesus said to him, "Arise, 
go thy way, for thy faith hath made thee whole." 3 

We are careful to express our appreciation to 
men for even the most trifling favors. Only to God, 
our greatest, truest Benefactor, are we ungrateful. 
How comparatively few of us there are who at the 
dawning of each day kneel in prayer to Him Who 
gives the day! Reawakening nature sings a hymn 
of acknowledgment and praise, but reawakening 
man, thinking of the world and its works, forgets 
"Who was the Workman." 4 Nine-tenths of the 
human race are ungrateful to God, and yet when we 
are in trouble we prostrate ourselves and implore 
mercy. Why, then, are we not thankful when we 
receive so many blessings? 

God asks us to be grateful only for the good of 
our own souls. He cleansed the lepers from their 
bodily affliction and waited for them to return, that 

a Luke xvii, 14. 
2 Luke xvii, 15, 16. 
'Luke xvii, 19. 
4 Wisdom xiii, 1. 



THE WORD OF GOD 169 

their souls also might be cleansed, but only one of 
them returned. United in misfortune, they had 
grieved and prayed together, but once in the posses- 
sion of health and able to have a part in the world 
and the world's pleasures, nine of them forgot the 
miracle by which God had cured them. Only the 
Samaritan returned to give thanks and to receive 
grace. 

There is danger of rendering useless the temporal 
favors which God bestows on us, and it is only 
because of His mercy that He sometimes deprives 
us of temporal possessions so that we may begin once 
more to pray, so that we may go once more to Him. 



The Blessed Virgin Mary was the most favored 
creature of God, and she was also the most grateful. 
Her whole life was one continuous prayer. Greeted 
as the Mother of God, she sang that wondrous can- 
ticle of acknowledgment and of thanksgiving, the 
"Magnificat:" "My soul doth magnify the Lord and 
my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour, because 
He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid. . . . 
Because He that is mighty hath done great things to 
me and holy is His name." 1 

In the preface of the Mass, just before the most 
solemn moment of consecration, the priest reminds 
himself and admonishes others: "It is truly meet and 
just, right and profitable, for us at all times and in 
all places to give thanks to Thee, O Lord, and we 
unite our voices with the voices of Heaven, singing 
unceasingly, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts. 
Hosanna in the highest!" 

a Luke i, 46-49. 



FOURTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

FEAST OF THE EXALTATION OF THE 

HOLY CROSS 

"At that time, Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews, 
Now is the judgment of the world: now shall the prince of 
this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the 
earth, will draw all things to Myself. (Now this He said, 
signifying what death He should die.) The multitude an- 
swered Him, We have heard out of the law, that Christ 
abideth for ever: and how sayest Thou, The Son of man 
must be lifted up? Who is the Son of man? Jesus there- 
fore said to them, Yet a little while, the light is among you. 
Walk whilst you have the light, that the darkness overtake 
[you not. And he that walketh in darkness knoweth not 
whither he goeth. Whilst you have the light, believe in the 
light; that you may be the children of light." John xii, 
31-36. 

LIBERATION from the yoke of Roman gov- 
ernment and the establishment of a great 
■* national kingdom had long been the cherished 
hope of the Jewish people. They thought that the 
coming of the Messias indicated the achievement of 
a great military success followed by an equally great 
political triumph. The Jews were mistaken in this 
interpretation of the coming of the Messias. His 
triumphs were to be spiritual triumphs, not victories 
over men, but victories over Satan. The very title 

170 



THE WORD OF GOD 171 

of Son of Man which Jesus adopted instead of the 
title of King with which the crowd with much insist- 
ence saluted Him makes it very evident that He 
sought no worldly glory. Jesus is u the light of the 
world," * and the Gospel holds this Light aloft that 
we may see It and follow It. The Gospel reveals to 
us the nobility of sorrow and suffering, the sanctity 
of sacrifice for the love of God. 

The victory which Jesus won was the sacrifice on 
Mount Calvary. It was not a victory of arms over 
the Roman legions, but a victory of humility and love 
over man's pride and Satan's hate. Jesus had con- 
quered the powers of darkness, and the cross was the 
sign of man's salvation. From that time, down 
through the centuries, the Church has silently and 
majestically advanced. She has found many empires 
on her journey which today no longer exist. One 
after another, they have fallen, torn by the storm 
of war or corroded by the rust of time, but not one 
of them has been able to involve her in its ruin. The 
Church does not depend for her existence on the 
pride or the prowess of man, but on the cross of 
Christ, and, therefore, she does not fear. 

There is an obelisk in Rome that stands in front 
of the Basilica of Saint Peter, which in ancient times 
was in the centre of the circus of Nero. This obelisk 
is now surmounted by a cross, and bears this trium- 
phant inscription: "Christ conquers, Christ reigns, 
Christ rules." Every enemy that opposes Him must 
yield, because Christ and His Church shall endure, 
forever. 

In the cross and through the cross is our victory, 

Mohn viii, 12. 



172 THE WORD OF GOD 

and before the cross and about the cross should we 
frequently meditate. We should gaze on the thorn- 
pierced head of the Saviour, His body torn with 
scourges, and the wound of the lance in His side. 

"My Lord," exclaimed Saint Francis of Assisi, 
kneeling before the crucifix, "I ask of Thee two 
graces. The first is that I may feel in my soul and in 
my body that pain which Thou, Sweet Saviour, 
endured on the cross; and the other grace which I 
implore is that I may feel in my heart the love for 
Thee which Thou hast for me." It was the Feast of 
the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Suddenly, Mount 
Alvernia glowed with fire. The image of the cruci- 
fied Jesus shining under the wings of a Seraphim 
appeared to Francis, and with vivid, burning rays 
pierced his hands, his feet and his heart, searing his 
flesh with the seal of the Divine Passion. The feast 
of the Stigmata or the wounds of Saint Francis of 
Assisi is observed on the seventeenth of September. 

We must strive to have our love for Jesus in some 
small way resemble the love of Jesus for us. We 
should meditate frequently as did Saint Francis 
before the crucifix, that suffering for Jesus we may 
love Him ever more and more. 



FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 
THE WIDOW OF NAIM 

"At that time, Jesus went into a city called Nairn, and 
there went with Him His disciples, and a great multitude. 
And when He came nigh to the city, behold a dead man 
was carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a 
widow, and much people of the city were with her. And 
when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her, and said 
to her, Weep not. And He came near, and touched the bier. 
And they that carried it stood still. And He said, Young 
man, I say to thee, Arise : and he that was dead sat up, and 
began to speak. And He delivered him to his mother. And 
there came a fear on them all : and they glorified God, say- 
ing, A great prophet is risen up amongst us and God hath 
visited His people." Luke vii, 11-16. 

" AND when He came nigh to the gate of the 
A% city, behold a dead man was carried out, 
*** A the only son of his mother; and she was a 
widow, and a great multitude of the city was with 
her." * It was one of those scenes so common in the 
cities of the Orient, in which paid mourners take 
part in the funeral procession. But in their midst 
was one whose grief was no mere sham or affecta- 
tion. The poor widowed mother, her heart torn with 
sorrow and her eyes blinded by tears, was following 
the body of her son to its final resting place. Jesus 

^uke vii, 12. 

173 



174 THE WORD OF GOD 

was coming nigh to the city, and His heart was 
moved with pity for the afflicted mother. He 
approached and said to her, " 'Weep not,' and He 
came near and touched the bier. And they that car- 
ried it stood still. And He said, 'Young man, I say 
to thee, arise.' And he that was dead sat up and 
began to speak. And He gave him to his mother." x 

The Heart of Jesus did not know how to resist 
the prayers and pleadings of a mother for a lost son. 
When the woman of Canaan sought Him, imploring 
aid for her daughter possessed by the devil, she 
thus pleaded with Him: " 4 Have mercy on me, O 
Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is griev- 
ously troubled by a devil.' n 2 She did not ask mercy 
for her daughter, but mercy for herself. For the 
affliction of a child is a worse affliction for the 
mother. "Then Jesus answering said to her: 'O 
woman, great is thy faith; be it done to thee as thou 
wilt;' and her daughter was cured from that hour." 3 

Saint Monica suffered much sorrow because of the 
wanderings of her son, Augustine. One day, in 
search of comfort, she knelt in tears before the feet 
of a bishop and told him of her anxiety and of her 
prayers for her wayward son. The answer which 
the bishop gave her seemed to have been inspired, — 
"Woman, depart in peace; the child of such tears 
shall never perish." The prayers of Saint Monica 
were heard and Augustine became a saint. In 
later years, when Saint Augustine was meditating 
about his own conversion, and was thinking of his 

*Luke vii, 13. 
2 Matthew xv, 22. 
8 Matthew xv, 28. 



THE WORD OF GOD 175 

mother, Saint Monica, and of her influence in bring- 
ing him to God, he was reminded of the gospel story 
of the widow of Nairn. 

* * * 

There is another sorrow-stricken mother whose 
story the Gospel records, — Mary the Mother of 
Jesus, Mary the Mother of us. It was for us that 
she suffered and prayed. There was not a single day 
on which she did not weep. From the cave in Beth- 
lehem to the cross on Calvary, the time was for her 
one continued martyrdom. "To what shall I com- 
pare thee, or to what shall I liken thee, O daughter 
of Jerusalem? To what shall I equal thee that I 
may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Sion? For 
great as the sea is thy destruction." * 

Mary was given to us to be our mother when 
Jesus was dying on the cross. She received us in her 
arms, children redeemed by the Precious Blood of 
her Divine Son, children, also, of her tears. 

lamentations ii, 13. 



SIXTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

HUMILITY 

"At that time, when Jesus went into the house of one of 
the chief of the Pharisees on the Sabbath-day to eat bread, 
they watched Him. And behold, there was a certain man 
before Him that had the dropsy: and Jesus answering, spoke 
to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on 
the sabbath-day? But they held their peace. But He taking 
him, healed him, and sent him away. And answering them, 
He said, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fall into 
a pit, and will not immediately draw him out, on the sab- 
bath-day? And they could not answer Him these things. 
And He spoke a parable also to them that were invited, 
marking how they chose the first seats at the table, saying to 
them, When thou art invited to a wedding, sit not down in 
the first place, lest perhaps one more honorable than thou 
be invited by him; and he that invited thee and him, come 
and say to thee, Give this man place; and then thou begin 
with shame to take the lowest place. But when thou art 
invited, go, sit down in the lowest place : that when he who 
inviteth thee cometh, he may say to thee, Friend, go up 
higher: then shalt thou have glory before them that sit at 
table with thee: because every one that exalteth himself 
shall be humbled, and he that humbleth himself shall be 
exalted." Luke xiv, 1-11. 

JESUS had answered the Pharisees, who had 
hypocritically affected to be scandalized because 
Christ performed a miracle on the Sabbath. He 
further rebuked them, "marking how they chose the 

176 



THE WORD OF GOD 177 

first seats at the table" * The parable of the wedding 
feast was a great lesson in humility for the Phari- 
sees, and is today a great lesson in humility for us. 
"Every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; 
and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." 2 It 
is necessary at all times and in all places, therefore, 
for the true disciple of Christ to choose the lowest 
place. For just as pride is inordinate self-esteem, so 
humility is the virtue by which we see ourselves in 
the proper light. Our proper place is the lowest 
place, and this truth is most consoling for those who 
are following Christ. 

"What hast thou that thou hast not received? 
And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as 
if thou hadst not received it?" 3 All comes from 
God. A few years ago, we did not exist; and since 
we have obtained existence, we owe it to Him Who 
called us out of nothing. The body of which we take 
great care, the strength of which we boast, the genius 
of which we are proud, are all gifts of God. Reflect, 
therefore, that if we are more fortunate than others 
because of the gifts which we have received, we are 
also more deeply indebted to the Creator on account 
of these gifts. The more that God has given, the 
more shall He require. "God resisteth the proud, 
but to the humble He giveth grace." 4 

When Saint Augustine was asked the chief Chris- 
tian virtue, he replied, "The first is humility, the 

1 Luke xiv, 7. 
2 Luke xiv, 11. 
8 I Corinthians iv, 7. 
4 I Peter v, 5. 



178 THE WORD OF GOD 

second is humility, and the third is humility, because 
this virtue is the foundation of all the others." 

* * * 

Aloysuis Gonzaga, Marquis of Castiglione, re- 
nounced his rights as the first born son of his house, 
to enter the religious life. He chose for himself the 
most worn-out clothing, and undertook with joy the 
most menial tasks. On the occasion of a visit which 
he made to his uncle, the most sumptuous apart- 
ments were prepared for him. When he was left 
alone with his companion, Aloysius uttered these 
words of regret: "My good brother, what have our 
sins brought us to this night! How much better 
would we be in our humble cells!" 

We, too, must seek the lowest place, and we shall 
know how sweet it is to merge our life into the life 
of Christ. We, too, shall hear some day the celestial 
music of that voice, "Friend, go up higher." l 

*Luke xiv, 10. 



SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

THE FEAST OF THE SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY ROSARY 

THE LOVE OF GOD 

"At that time, the Pharisees came to Jesus, and one of 
them, a doctor of the law, asked Him, tempting Him, Mas- 
ter, which is the great commandment of the law? Jesus said 
to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole 
heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. 
This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the 
second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy- 
self. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law 
and the prophets (all revelation). And the Pharisees being 
gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, What think 
you of Christ; Whose son is He? They say to Him, 
David's. He saith to them, How then doth David, in 
spirit, call Him Lord; saying (in Psalm 109) The Lord said 
to My Lord, Sit on My right hand until I make Thy 
enemies Thy footstool? If David then call Him Lord, how 
is He his son? And no man was able to answer Him a 
word ; neither durst any man, from that day forth, ask Him 
any more questions. ,, Matthew xxii, 35-46. 

THIS passage from the Gospel tells of one of 
the many attempts which the Pharisees made 
to ensnare Jesus. " 'Master, which is the 
great commandment in the law?' " * was the ques- 

Matthew xxii, 36. 

179 



180 THE WORD OF GOD 

tion asked by the Pharisee in the hope that Jesus 
would substitute in His answer the adoration of 
Himself for the adoration of God. But Jesus read 
the thought in the mind of His questioner. He knew 
that the Pharisees hated Him, that they had perse- 
cuted Him, that they refused to recognize His divine 
nature, that they closed their eyes to His miracles. 
He answered the question by recalling to the minds 
of the Pharisees the precept of charity towards one's 
neighbor, a precept which they rarely observed. He 
silenced them by indicating that David, the greatest 
King of Israel, had recognized the Messias as his 
Lord. The dignity of Christ is therefore above the 
dignity of all men, above even the dignity of kings. 
The dignity of Christ blends into and is actually the 
dignity of God Himself. 

The most salutary lesson of this gospel is con- 
tained in the great commandment: "Thou shalt love 
the Lord thy God, with thy whole heart, and with 
thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind." 1 Since 
God is all perfect, the greatest, the most merciful of 
all beings, the inexhaustible Fountain of Goodness, 
why should we not love Him? All those who love 
us have received from Him the heart by means of 
which they love. Our fathers have obtained from 
Him the life which they have given to us. " T know 
not how you were formed in my w r omb,' " exclaimed 
the mother of the seven martyred Machabees, " 'for 
I neither gave you breath, nor soul, nor life, neither 
did I frame the limbs of every one of you.' " 2 And 
then, whispering to the smallest of her heroes, she 

x Matthew xxii, 37. 
2 II Machabees vii, 22. 



THE WORD OF GOD 181 

murmured, " 'I beseech thee, my son, look upon 
Heaven and earth, and all that is in them : and con- 
sider that God made them out of nothing, and man- 
kind also. So thou shalt not fear this tormentor, but 
being made a worthy partner with thy brethren, 
receive death, that in that mercy I may receive thee 
again with thy brethren.' "* 

We are indeed so poor, so small and insignificant 
that if God had not directed us to love Him, it would 
have seemed presumptuous to have said, "My God, 
I love Thee." The venerable Aloysius Da Ponte 
could not understand the expression, "to love God 
above all things." It seemed to him the same as 
saying, "Lord, I love Thee more than a wisp of 
straw, more than a grain of dust." 

We should therefore love God with all our heart*. 
We should love Him with the greatest love. "The 
measure for our love of God," writes Saint Bernard, 
"is to love Him without measure." 

We should remember how much God has loved 
us. For us, He became man; for us, He died on the 
cross. 

We should meditate frequently on the mysteries 
of this love, the mysteries of the rosary. The lips 
pronounce the "Our Father" and the "Hail Mary"; 
the mind dwells on the principal mysteries of the life 
of Jesus and the life of Mary. At the thought of 
their sacrifice for us, the heart warms and the eyes 
fill with tears. 

We are all familiar with the efficacy of the rosary, 
which was recommended to Saint Dominic by the 
Blessed Virgin herself. One of the great graces 

*II Machabees vii, 28, 29. 



182 THE WORD OF GOD 

obtained through the recitation of this prayer and 
the event which was the occasion of the institution 
of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary occurred on 
the seventh day of October in the year 1571. While 
the members of the Confraternity of the Rosary 
recited this prayer to the Mother of God to save 
the world from the yoke of Moslem power, the 
galleys of the Christian forces met and decisively 
defeated the Turkish armada in the great battle of 
Lepanto. 

Recite the Rosary once each day and offer it as a 
garland of roses to the Madonna. Remember that 
all your dear ones have been laid in the grave with 
their hands entwined with a rosary. "Send forth 
flowers as the lily," sings the Church today, "bring 
forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and 
bless the Lord in His works." * 



Communion prayer in Mass of the Rosary quoting Ecclesiasticus 
xxxix, 19. 



EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

THE PARALYTIC OF CAPHARNAUM 

"At that time, Jesus entering into a ship, passed over the 
water and came into His own city. And behold they brought 
to Him one sick of the palsy lying in a bed; and Jesus see- 
ing their faith, said to the man sick of the palsy, Be of good 
heart, son, thy sins are forgiven thee. And behold some 
of the scribes said within themselves, He blasphemeth. And 
Jesus seeing their thoughts said, Why do you think evil in 
your hearts? Whether is it easier to say, Thy sins are for- 
given Thee ; or to say, Arise and walk ? But that you may 
know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive 
sins (then said He to the man sick of the palsy), Arise, take 
up they bed, and go into thy house. And he arose, and went 
into his house. And the multitude seeing it, feared, and 
glorified God Who had given such power to men." Mat- 
thew ix, 1-8. 

JESUS had returned to Capharnaum after a visit 
to the neighboring towns and cities, where He 
had preached and wrought many miracles. 
"And behold they brought to Him one sick of palsy 
lying in a bed. And Jesus seeing their faith, said to 
the man sick of the palsy, *Be of good heart, son, 
thy sins are forgiven thee.' " * The Gospel of Saint 

Mark gives other details of this occurrence: "It 
■ ■ 

Matthew ix, 2. 

183 



184 THE WORD OF GOD 

was heard that He was in the house and many came 
together so that there was no room ; no, not even at 
the door. . . . And they came to Him bringing one 
sick of the palsy, who was carried by four." * This 
poor paralytic was late in arriving at the house, and 
the four persons who were carrying him were unable 
to make their way through the throng about the 
entrance. In the rear of the low structure, according 
to the custom, an outside stairway led to the terrace. 
It was easy for them to climb this stairway and to 
uncover an opening in the roof. And "they let down 
the bed wherein the man sick of the palsy lay." 2 
The poor cripple trembled with emotion before the 
feet of Jesus. He realized full well the causes of his 
illness. He knew that sinful excesses had brought 
him to this condition. He was sorry now, and 
although he was unable to utter a word with his lips, 
his whole being pleaded for mercy and forgiveness. 
Jesus read the message in that desolate heart and 
Jesus answered the message: "Son, thy sins are for- 
given thee." 8 Then, in order to show that He had 
power to forgive sins, in order to confound the 
scribes who would accuse Him of blasphemy, Jesus 
said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up thy bed and go 
into thy house." 4 The thrill of life coursed once 
more through his poor dead limbs, "and immedi- 
ately, he arose, and taking up his bed, went his way 
in the sight of all, so that all wondered and glori- 
fied God." 5 Christ had proved that He had power 

"Mark ii, 2, 3. 
2 Mark ii, 4. 
3 Matthew ix, 2. 
4 Matthew ix, 6. 
'Mark ii, 12. 



THE WORD OF GOD 185 

to forgive sins, because God witnessed by a miracle 
the truth of Christ's claim, and God could never con- 
firm the truth of a lie. It is a far greater miracle to 
give back grace to a soul in sin than to restore health 
to a body that is sick. 

This great miracle is renewed today in the sacra- 
ment of Penance, for there is no sinner, however 
grievously he may have offended, from whom mercy 
will be withheld, if that sinner will only repent. "The 
earth is full of the mercy of the Lord," * says the 
psalmist. "Return to Me, saith the Lord, and I will 
receive thee." 2 The sinner may hear if he wishes 
the words of Jesus to the paralytic, "thy sins are for- 
given thee." 3 When the priest pronounces the words 
of absolution in the sacrament of Penance, he repre- 
sents God Himself. As you would confide in Jesus, 
so also confide in your confessor. The priest is the 
consecrated minister of God and has received the 
power to forgive sins in God's name. "Whose sins 
you shall forgive, they are forgiven them ; and whose 
sins you shall retain, they are retained." 4 The 
greatest comfort which you can have after you have 
sinned is to humble yourself at the feet of God's 
minister and pour out to him the secret cause of 
your grief. Unburden to him the bitterness of your 
remorse, and there will be joy among the angels 
for the sheep that returns to the fold. 

* * * 
A celebrated professor in the University of Pavia, 



^salm xxxii, 5. 
2 Jeremias iii, 1. 
•Matthew ix, 2. 
4 John xx, 23. 



186 THE WORD OF GOD 

Contardo Ferrini, who died a few years ago, after a 
saintly life, attributed the peace of mind which he 
enjoyed to the faithful observance of pious Chris- 
tian practices. "I cannot conceive,'' he wrote, u how 
a man can live a life without prayer. I cannot imag- 
ine a person who would not offer his first thoughts 
on awakening to God, or a person who would retire 
at night without making peace with Him who is one 
day to be his Judge." Ferrini attended daily Mass 
and went frequently to Confession and Communion. 
He possessed an untroubled conscience and looked 
always serenely towards death, — u O, cherished mo- 
ment of peacefully falling asleep in the Lord. O, 
happy moment, the first embrace of the Saviour." 

If thou, Christian soul, desirest to be at peace with 
thyself, go frequently to Confession. Have thy sins 
forgiven in the tribunal of mercy, before God calls 
thee to the tribunal of justice. 



NINETEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

THE MARRIAGE FEAST 

"At that time, Jesus spoke to the chief priests and the 
Pharisees in parables, saying, The kingdom of heaven is 
likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son ; and he 
sent his servants, to call them that were invited to the mar- 
riage, and they would not come. Again he sent other serv- 
ants, saying, Tell them that were invited, Behold, I have 
prepared my dinner; my beeves and fadings are killed, and 
all things are ready; come ye to the marriage. But they 
neglected: and went their ways, one to his farm, and an- 
other to his merchandise; and the rest laid hands on his 
servants, and having treated them contumeliously, put them 
to death. But when the king had heard of it, he was angry ; 
and sending his armies, he destroyed those murderers, and 
burnt their city. Then he saith to his servants, The mar- 
riage indeed is ready, but they that were invited were not 
worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many 
as you shall find, call to the marriage. And his servants, 
going forth into the ways, gathered together all that they 
found, both bad and good ; and the marriage was filled with 
guests. And the king went in to see the guests ; and he saw 
there a man who had not on a wedding garment: and he 
saith to him, Friend, how earnest thou in hither, not having 
on a wedding garment ? But he was silent. Then the king 
said to the waiters, Bind his hands and feet, and cast him 
into the exterior darkness : there shall be weeping and gnash- 
ing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen." 
Matthew xxii, 2-14. 

187 



188 THE WORD OF GOD 

THE banquet hall is resplendent with lights and 
decorations. The servants are in their places ; 
the feast is ready. In the adjoining rooms, 
the white tunics are at hand which, according to the 
oriental custom, the king has prepared for his guests. 
Meanwhile, the messengers charged with the deliv- 
ery of the invitations to the marriage feast return 
breathless from their mission. They had been in- 
sulted, derided and attacked. Nevertheless, the ban- 
quet will take place. 

"Go ye therefore into the highways," cries the 
king, "and as many as you shall find call to the mar- 
riage." J And the crowd responded to the invitation, 
"and the marriage was filled with guests. And the 
king went in to see the guests; and he saw there a 
man who had not on a wedding garment." 2 

The Great King is God, and the meaning of the 
parable is clear. From the day on which God prom- 
ised a Redeemer for the human race, until the day 
when the sun will shine for the last time in the heav- 
ens, He calls men to enter the kingdom which He has 
established on this earth. The number who refuse 
His invitation is very large. The chosen people, who 
killed the prophets and crucified Christ, were among 
the most ungrateful. Wherefore the arm of God 
struck them, and the legions of imperial Rome laid 
waste their country. Then was opened to the Gen- 
tiles an era of mercy, and our people were received 
in throngs into the Church. But many of these souls 
there are, however, who do not answer the call of 



Matthew xxii, 9. 
3 Matthcw xxii, 10, 11. 



THE WORD OF GOD 189 

God. Jesus warns us that in proportion to the multi- 
tude that are called, only a "few are chosen." 1 

In the sacrament of baptism we receive the white 
garment of grace, but in order to preserve this treas- 
ure we must wage a continuous battle. "The life of 
man upon earth is a warfare," says the Scriptures, 2 
and the Fathers of the Church add the comment that 
every day is a day of strife, and that victory is most 
difficult 

Saint Jerome passed long years in penance, and 
yet he saw his solitudes inhabited by phantom images 
of cities even though he dwelt alone in the desert. 
Blessed is he who in a war so fierce and bitter pre- 
serves his soul untarnished by sin and keeps his 
thoughts fixed on Heaven. 

The shadows of life's close are deepening fast. 
Neither our presence in a banquet hall, nor our 
attendance in a church, will exempt us from judg- 
ment; for, in a short time we shall hear the blare of 
the trumpet, and it is the King Who comes. "Where- 
fore," the Apostle concludes, "with fear and trem- 
bling work out your salvation." 3 

We are walking through clouds of dust; all about 
us is contamination. We must remember that we 
are clothed in white. 

Even though the battle rages furiously, no one 
should lose heart. "Put you on the armor of God," 
exhorts Saint Paul, "that you may be able to stand 
against the deceits of the devil." 4 Whoever, there- 



Matthew xx, 16. 
2 Job vii, 1. 
'Philippians ii, 12. 
4 Ephesian« vi, 11. 



190 THE WORD OF GOD 

fore, wishes salvation and works for salvation will 
receive salvation. 



Nabuchodonosor,King of Babylon, raised up a ma- 
jestic idol. On the day of its dedication, when it was 
unveiled, the colossal statue gleamed with wondrous 
splendor. A great multitude of governors, magis- 
trates, soldiers and people prostrated themselves in 
adoration before it. Only three Hebrew youths of 
the royal court refused to offer worship to the idol. 
The King was angry at their refusal, and cried out, 
"Who is the God that shall deliver you out of my 
hand?" 1 And they rejoined, " 'we will not worship 
thy gods, nor adore the golden statue which thou 
hast set up.' Then was Nabuchodonosor filled with 
fury; . . . and he commanded that the furnace should 
be heated seven times more than it had been accus- 
tomed to be heated. And he commanded the strong- 
est men that were in his army ... to cast them into 
the furnace of burning fire." 2 But the fire did not 
harm them. "They walked in the midst of the flame, 
praising God and blessing the Lord; 'Blessed art 
Thou, O Lord the God of our fathers ; and thy name 
is worthy of praise, and glorious forever.' " 3 

O Christian, surrounded by a multitude of the 
weak, live the life of the strong and the fire will not 
harm you. Thus does the Church pray: "O God, 
Who for the three youths in the fiery furnace didst 
mitigate the power of the flames, grant that we Thy 
servants may not be burned by the flames of vice." 

Daniel in, 15. 
2 Daniel iii, 18-20. 
"Daniel iii, 24-26. 



TWENTIETH SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

PERSEVERANCE IN PRAYER 

"At that time, there was a certain ruler whose son was 
sick at Capharnaum. He having heard that Jesus was come 
from Judea into Galilee, went to Him, and prayed Him 
to come down (to Capharnaum) and heal his son; for he was 
at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him, Unless 
you see signs and wonders, you believe not. The ruler saith 
to Him, Lord, come down before that my son die. Jesus 
saith to him, Go thy way, thy son liveth. The man believed 
the word which Jesus said to him, and went his way. And 
as he was going down, his servants met him, and they 
brought word, saying, that his son lived. He asked there- 
fore of them the hour wherein he grew better. And they 
said to him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left 
him. The father therefore knew that it was at the same 
hour that Jesus said to him, Thy son liveth; and himself 
believed, and his whole house." John iv, 46-53. 

THE Prophet has returned! The joyful news 
thrills the rough soldier who for several 
nights has watched at the bedside of his son. 
Jesus will save his dying boy, and the face of the 
father lights with gladness at the thought. A mo- 
ment later and he is riding over the dusty highroad 
which from the Lake of Liberius mounts towards 
the higher plain. The new hope in his heart struggles 
to overcome the grief which weighs him down* He 

191 



192 THE WORD OF GOD 

arrives at the gates of Cana, and makes his way 
through the throng that surrounds the Master. 
Kneeling at the feet of Jesus, he pleads for the life 
of his loved one. 

The answer of the Saviour is a reproof to those 
who do not believe, and yet in the time of trouble 
desire miracles. "Unless you see signs and wonders, 
you believe not." * But the sorrow of the warrior 
had made him repentant, had made him humble. 
He persevered in his supplication "and saith to Him: 
'Lord come down before that my son die.' Jesus 
saith to him, 'Go thy way, thy son liveth.' " 2 

The ruler did not know that Jesus could perform 
miracles at a distance. Nevertheless, he "believed 
the word which Jesus said to him, and went his 
way." 3 The soldier of Herod had become the sol- 
dier of Christ. 

Courageous faithful souls do not lose confidence 
in the midst of uncertainties and difficulties. They 
believe that through the darkness the light will once 
more shine. They do not know at what point on 
the horizon the ray of sunlight will appear; they may 
not understand in just what manner God will turn 
their sorrows into blessings, but nevertheless, they 
trust in His goodness. 

Many persons indeed there are who become dis- 
couraged because they think that their prayers are 
not answered. And yet God hears and answers their 
prayers. Only on the last day, when God will reveal 
the mysteries of each life, will they know the graces 

Mohn iv, 48. 
2 John iv, 49, 50. 
•John iv, 50. 



THE WORD OF GOD 193 

which have been bestowed in answer to their prayers. 
Saint Augustine tells us that if what we ask with 
humble perseverance be not a "knife or a sword," 
we may be certain that we shall receive it. Adver- 
sity and continued adversity, far from making us 
irresolute, should make us more steadfast in prayer. 



It is recorded in the eighth chapter of the Gospel 
of Saint Matthew that on one occasion when Jesus 
was in a boat with his disciples, "a great tempest 
arose in the sea, so that the boat was covered with 
waves." * Jesus was asleep, and the disciples were 
filled with terror at the fury of the storm. "And 
they came to Him, and awaked Him, saying, 'Lord, 
save us, we perish.' " 2 Jesus reproached them for 
their lack of confidence, and said to them, " 'Why 
are you fearful, O ye of little faith?' Then rising 
up, He commanded the winds and the sea, and there 
came a great calm." 3 It is necessary not only to 
have faith, but to have great faith. 

On another occasion, on the same sea, Jesus gave 
us another lesson in faith. This story is also told in 
the Gospel of Saint Matthew, in the fourteenth chap- 
ter. The disciples were in a boat tossed about by 
the waves. u And in the fourth watch of the night, 
He (Jesus) came to them walking upon the sea. 
And they seeing Him . . . were troubled, saying, 'It is 
an apparition.' And they cried out for fear. And 
immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Be of 

Matthew viii, 24. 
'Matthew viii, 25. 
*Matthew viii, 26. 



194 THE WORD OF GOD 

good heart; it is I, fear ye not.' And Peter making 
answer, said, 'Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come to 
Thee upon the waters.' And He said, 'Come.' And 
Peter going down out of the boat, walked upon the 
water to come to Jesus. But seeing the wind strong, 
he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried 
out, saying, 'Lord, save me.' And immediately Jesus 
stretching forth His hand took hold of him, and 
said to him, 'O thou of little faith, why didst thou 
doubt?' M1 

Therefore, we should not fear. Jesus is in our 
midst, even though at times He may appear to us to 
be sleeping. All about the Church, a stormy sea is 
surging. Many there are, and many there have been, 
who have announced that the Church is about to be 
engulfed. They were mistaken in the past, and 
they are mistaken now. But we, the children of the 
Church, should have confidence, we should have 
faith, we should redouble our prayers and supplica- 
tions. With great faith and with great love, we shall 
join our prayers with the prayers of the Church. 
"Incline Thy ear and hear; open, O Lord, Thy eyes 
and see." 2 

FEAST OF ALL SAINTS 
THE WAY TO PARADISE 

"At that time, Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a 
mountain; and when He was sat down, His disciples came 
unto Him. And opening His mouth, He taught them, say- 
ing, Blessed are the poor in spirit ; for theirs is the kingdom 



*IV Kings xix, 16. 
2 Matthew xiv, 25-31. 



THE WORD OF GOD 195 

of heaven. Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the 
land. Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be com- 
forted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after jus- 
tice; for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merci- 
ful; for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of 
heart ; for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers ; 
for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are 
they that suffer persecution for justice's sake; for theirs is the 
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile 
you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, 
untruly, for My sake: be glad and rejoice, for your reward 
is very great in heaven." Matthew v, 1-12. 

IN the twenty-first chapter of the Apocalypse, 
Saint John describes the u Holy City, the new 
Jerusalem." * Guided by divine inspiration, the 
Prophet Apostle reveals something of the magnifi- 
cence and grandeur of "the tabernacle of God with 

men." 2 "God shall wipe away all tears and death 

shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sor- 
row." 3 u And the city hath no need of the sun, nor 
of the moon, to shine in it. For the glory of God 
hath enlightened it, and the Lamb is the lamp 
thereof. . . . And the gates thereof shall not be shut 
by day, for there shall be no night there. . . . There 
shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that 
worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that 
are written in the book of life of the Lamb." 4 "And 
they shall see His face, and His name shall be on 
their foreheads, . . . the Lord God shall enlighten 
them, and they shall reign for ever and ever." 5 

Apocalypse xxi, 2. 
2 Apocalypse xxi, 3. 
3 Apocalypse xxi, 4. 
4 ApocaIypse xxi, 23-27. 
5 Apocalypse xxii, 4, 5. 



196 THE WORD OF GOD 

The thought of this vision described by Saint 
John should be in every mind today, for between the 
Church on earth and the Church in Heaven there i9 
no division, but rather a continuation of one into the 
other. Militant or triumphant, it is the one same 
Church. It is as a giant tree in the earthly abyss of 
human grief, with its top in the tranquil blue of 
Heaven. 

The trials and troubles which we endure today 
are but a preparation for the joys of tomorrow. 

When Pharao asked the Patriarch Jacob how old 
he was, the Egyptian ruler received this answer, 
"The days of my pilgrimage are a hundred and 
thirty years, — few and evil." * The present life is 
therefore only a pilgrimage, a passage to eternity. 
Suffering is the lot of all. It is true that there is fre- 
quently a smile on the faces of the wicked, but this 
smile is but a mask poorly concealing the bitterness 
of their desolation. And through the mist of the 
tears of the good may be seen the shining of the first 
rays of Heaven's light. We must not deceive our- 
selves. In this life, hell is pleasure without God, 
and Heaven is suffering for Jesus. Woe to those 
who smile; blessed are those who weep. For there 
is only one way to Heaven, — the way of the cross. 
This way becomes sweet, says Saint Teresa, when 
the Christian traverses it with joy. A starry sky is 
above our heads, but briers and thorns are at our 
feet. The grace of God sustains us in our struggles 
against the world and the flesh. Every time that we 
reject God's grace and yield to sin, we forge fetters 
which bind us to earth. We must throw off these 



Genesis xlvii, 9. 



THE WORD OF GOD 197 

fetters once and for all. Blessed will be the moment 
when we win this great victory. Blessed are the tears 
which reopen for us the gates of Paradise. 

* * * 

In the thirty-eighth chapter of the Prophecy of 
Isaias, we read that King Ezechias "was sick even 
to death." 1 And the Lord said to him through the 
mouth of the prophet, "Take order with thy house, 
for thou shalt die and not live." 2 These words of 
the great prophet have also a meaning for us. We 
have been witnesses of the most awful war that his- 
tory records. We have seen the flower of the world's 
manhood crushed in untimely, cruel death. This 
thought should make us mindful of our own passing 
from this world, and we, too, must put our house in 
order that we may be prepared to meet our Judge. 
The saints are watching us and praying for us. All 
of our dear departed loved ones are deeply solicitous 
for us who are yet in exile, hoping that we shall join 
them in their Heavenly home. May the Lord grant 
to us sinners who trust in His tender mercies the for- 
giveness of our many sins! May we enjoy in the 
life to come the happiness of the Apostles and mar- 
tyrs, the happiness of Saint Stephen, of Saint Cecilia 
and Saint Agnes, the happiness of all the 1 saints! 
May we be with them in the City of God, partaking 
in the reward which they are enjoying, not because 
of our merits, but because of God's infinite mercy! 

isaias xxxviii, 1. 
'Isaias xxxviii, 1. 



TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED 

"At that time, Jesus spoke to His disciples this parable: 
The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who would 
take an account of his servants. And when he had begun 
to take the account, one was brought to him that owed him 
ten thousand talents : and as he had not wherewith to pay it, 
his lord commanded that he should be sold, and his wife and 
children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. But 
that servant falling down, besought him, saying, Have 
patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And the lord 
of that servant, being moved with pity, let him go; and 
forgave him the debt. But when that servant was gone 
out, he found one of his fellow-servants that owed him a 
hundred pence: and laying hold of him, he throttled him, 
saying, Pay what thou owest. And his fellow-servant fall- 
ing down besought him, saying, Have patience with me, 
and I will pay thee all. And he would not; but went and 
cast him into prison till he paid the debt. Now his fellow- 
servants, seeing what was done, were very much grieved; 
and they came and told their lord all that was done. Then 
his lord called him, and saith to him, Thou wicked servant, 
I forgave thee all the debt, because thou besoughtest me; 
shouldst not thou then have had compassion also on thy fel- 
low-servant, even as I had compassion on thee? And his 
lord being angry, delivered him to the torturers until he 
paid all the debt. So also shall my heavenly Father do to 
you, if you forgive not every one his brother from your 
hearts." Matthew xviii, 23-25. 

193 



THE WORD OF GOD 199 

GOD has been merciful to us, and we in turn 
should be merciful and generous in our 
remembrances of the faithful departed. 

All of us are debtors to God. Many times our 
sins have been forgiven. As we, therefore, implored 
mercy of God, so should we be merciful in praying 
for our dear ones who are no longer able to help 
themselves. Only through the charity of the living 
can the sufferings of the souls in purgatory be 
shortened; only through our suffrages can they more 
quickly draw near to the throne of God. If we 
deafen our ears to their pleadings, if we chill our 
hearts to their pains, if we do not show them mercy, 
we shall not please God Who has been all merciful 
to us. 

When the soul leaving the body breaks the bonds 
of earth and enters eternity, it springs with all the 
power of its being towards God Who gave it life. 
If, however, all the punishment due to sin has not 
been entirely remitted, the soul cannot yet see God. 
The enjoyment of the Beatific Vision, the possession 
of Eternal Happiness is denied to the soul until the 
last stain of sin or of its consequences has been 
removed. 

Whoever has endured the martyrdom of exile, 
whoever has suffered the hunger of loneliness, can 
imagine in some infinitesimally small degree the bit- 
terness of the pain of separation of a loving soul 
from God. And we who are yet on probation, we 
who as yet have experienced nothing but the mercy 
of God, are slow to realize that we shall soon need 
the Masses, penances and prayers of others when 
God's mercy ends for us and the justice of God 



200 THE WORD OF GOD 

begins. We shall wish for others to help us then; 
we should, therefore, help our departed brethren 
now. 

The cemetery is really not a city of the dead, for 
the souls of those who lie therein are in communion 
with us who live apart. Mothers, do not weep for 
your children, for they are not dead but sleepeth! 
Children, do not grieve for your parents, for you still 
may help them, and you shall see them once more ! 
"Be not sorrowful as others who have no hope. For 
if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so 
them who have slept with Jesus will God bring with 
Him." 1 The word which Jesus pronounced when 
Lazarus was dead cannot fail: " 'Lazarus, our 
friend, sleepeth.' " 2 The dead sleep. Wherefore 
the Church calls the place of their repose "ceme- 
tery," which means dormitory or resting place. 

The echo of the desolation in pagan hearts at the 
thought of death s.till reaches our ears through the 
inscriptions on their monuments. That was a time 
when the dead buried their dead. There was nothing 
beyond the grave. The religion of Christ appeared, 
and all was changed. The inscriptions which may 
still be seen in the catacombs radiated with the light 
of hope and happiness, — "Rest in peace with the 
angels," "Live in Christ." The palms of victory 
over death and the symbols of life eternal that were 
depicted centuries ago on the walls of the catacombs 
can be seen to this day. The very tombs of the mar- 
tyrs became altars to God. 

* * * 



*I Thessalonians iv, 12-13. 
'John xi, 11. 



THE WORD OF GOD 201 

In the second book of Machabees, it is narrated 
that after the taking of Jamnia, Judas, the hero of 
his people, collected the bodies of the fallen and 
buried them in their own land near the graves of 
their valiant ancestors who were sleeping their last 
sleep, awaiting the resurrection. And since they had 
"fallen asleep with godliness," 1 so that, therefore, 
there was hope for their salvation, he received offer- 
ings from his soldiers, and sent twelve thousand 
drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for expiatory sac- 
rifice in their behalf. "It is therefore a holy and 
wholesome thought," concludes the chapter, "to pray 
for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." 2 
The Church remembers this teaching, and every day 
in offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, she prays 
for the faithful departed, including those whom the 
living have already forgotten. "Mercifully remem- 
ber, O Lord," prays the Church through her priests 
at the altar, "remember the souls of Thy servants 
who have gone before us with the sign of faith and 
repose with Christ in peace, and grant to all an 
abode of refreshment, the beatitude of rest, and the 
brightness of light." 

*II Machabees xii, 45. 
2 II Machabees xii, 46. 



TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PEN- 
TECOST 

THE TRIBUTE TO CAESAR 

"At that time, the Pharisees went and consulted among 
themselves how to ensnare Jesus in His speech. And they 
send to Him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, 
Master, we know that Thou art a true speaker, and teachest 
the way of God in truth, neither carest Thou for any man, 
for Thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us there- 
fore, what dost Thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute 
to Caesar, or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said, 
Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Show Me the coin 
of the tribute. And they offered Him a penny. And Jesus 
saith to them, Whose image and superscription is this? 
They say to Him, Caesar's. Then He saith to them, Ren- 
der therefore to Caesar, the things that are Caesar's, and to 
God, the things that are God's." Matthew xxii, 15-21. 

THE snare set by the Pharisees to entrap Jesus 
was cunningly planned. They thought that if 
Jesus recommended the payment of tribute 
to the Romans, He would bring down on Himself 
the anger of the people, who hated the invading 
oppressor. If, on the other hand, He forbade pay- 
ment, the partisans of Herod would be quick to 
rise up against Him. Eternal Wisdom, however, 
sees through the plots of men. Jesus first unmasked 
their hypocrisy; then He confused and confounded 
them. "Knowing their wickedness, He said, 'Why 

202 



THE WORD OF GOD 203 

do you tempt Me, ye hypocrites? Show Me the coin 
of the tribute.' And they offered Him a penny." * 
The coin, similar to those which may be seen now in 
museums, bore the effigy of the Roman emperor with 
the inscription, "Augustus Tiberius Caesar." "Jesus 
saith to them, 'Whose image and inscription is this ?' 
They say to Him, 'Caesar's/ Then He saith to them, 
'Render therefore to Caesar the things that are 
Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's.' " 2 
Tertullian succinctly comments on this answer of 
Jesus, "Render the gold to Caesar, the heart to 
God." 

It is necessary not only to acknowledge the sov- 
ereignty of God, but also to submit willingly to the 
will of God. This voluntary submission is indicated 
in the Old Testament by the sacrifice of lambs and 
other animals, which typified the supreme dominion 
of the Creator over life and death. But Jesus does 
not wish the blood of sacrificial victims. He wishes 
the souls of men. When He entered the Holy City, 
He was not accompanied in His triumph by the mili- 
tary escort of a conqueror; He entered amid the 
loving smiles of happy children strewing flowers in 
His pathway and waving olive branches in glad 
acclaim. 

Jesus is the King of love. He wishes dominion 
over the hearts and souls of men. And yet men hate 
this King of love, this King Who has loved them 
even unto the death on the cross. They should re- 
member, however, that some day mercy will end and 
justice shall begin. 

Matthew xxii, 18, 19. 
2 Matthew xxii, 20, 21. 



204 THE WORD OF GOD 

On the morning of the day on which Christ was 
crucified, the leaders of the chosen people were 
assembled before the Antonian tower, from which 
Pilate had harangued the mob. The Jews resented 
what Pilate said to them about Jesus, " 'Behold your 
King,' " 1 and they had cried out, " 'Away with Him, 
crucify Him ... we have no king but Caesar.' " 2 
" 'His blood be upon us and upon our children.' " 3 
And their defiance merited a terrible retribution. 
The yoke of Rome and the armies of Titus were the 
answers of God to punish the Jewish nation in the 
most awful siege which history records. Eleven hun- 
dred thousand Jews perished in the fall of Jerusa- 
lem, and ninety-seven thousand were condemned to 
slavery and dispersion. 

And now many of the Christian nations have 
experienced something of divine retribution, and 
society is inviting still more frightful punishment by 
its continued and increasing apostasy. Grant that 
every wandering soul, that every wandering nation, 
may return to Jesus to offer a tribute of love, instead 
of one day paying a tribute of justice. 

To the One, Only, Immortal God, be always 
honor and glory in time and in eternity. 

Mohn xix, 14. 
2 John xix, 14, 15. 
"Matthew xxvii, 25. 



TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTE- 
COST 

THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRVS 

"At that time, as Jesus was speaking to the multitudes, 
behold a certain ruler came up, and adored Him, saying, 
Lord, my daughter is even now dead ; but come lay Thy hand 
upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus, rising up, followed 
him with His disciples. And behold a woman, who was 
troubled with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind 
Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said 
within herself, If I shall touch only His garment, I shall 
be healed. But Jesus turning and seeing her, said, Be of 
good heart, daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole. And 
the woman was made whole from that hour. And when 
Jesus was come into the house of the ruler, and saw the 
minstrels and the multitude making a tumult, He said, Give 
place, for the girl is not dead, but sleepeth. And they 
laughed Him to scorn. And when the multitude was put 
forth, He went in, and took her by the hand. And the 
maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that 
country." Matthew ix, 18-26. 

WE learn more details of the miracle which 
Jesus performed when He raised to life 
the daughter of the ruler from the Gospels 
of Saint Mark and Saint Luke. The dead child was 
twelve years of age. Her father was the head of one 
of the synagogues of Capharnaum and was called 
Jairus. When our Lord entered into the house of the 

205 



206 THE WORD OF GOD 

ruler, the courtyard was thronged with a crowd of 
people who were indulging in most noisy demonstra- 
tions. Hired mourners were wailing and minstrels 
were playing sad melodies, without any indication, 
however, of genuine grief. 

Let us enter with Jesus, and approach the body of 
the dead girl. What a thing is life ! What a terrible 
thing is death ! 

Life is as a light cloud veiling for a moment the 
sky of summer and dissolved in a moment by the 
sun. Death certainly comes quickly. As the years 
which have gone by have melted away in the past, 
so will vanish also the fleeting years which remain. 
It makes no difference if we delude ourselves 
that the road on which we are advancing does not 
seem to have an end, we shall find some day, and 
possibly some day soon, that the end has come 
abruptly. 

Even the pagans considered the truth, the bitter, 
inflexible, unfailing truth, that all must die. "The 
whole life of a philosopher/ 1 says Cicero in his Tus- 
culan Disputations, "is a consideration of death." 
Youth, passions, smiles, shall all fade away and dis- 
appear. 

When Saint Sylvester, who was a knight of noble 
blood, gazed into the coffin of a friend and meditated 
on the appearance of the cold, inanimate form of 
him who but a short time before was the idol of all 
his companions, Sylvester received a striking lesson. 
In the silence of his soul he seemed to hear a voice, 
"He has been what you are now; soon you will be 
as you see him in death." Sylvester learned the les- 
son of the shallowness of human achievement and 



THE WORD OF GOD 207 

the vanity of worldly honors. He changed his life, 
fled into solitude and became a saint. 

The last chapter of the inspired book of Ecclesi- 
astes has this grave warning: "Remember thy Cre- 
ator in the days of thy youth, before the time of 
affliction come, and the years draw nigh of which 
thou shalt say: 'They please me not.' . . . And the 
dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the 
spirit return to God, who gave it. Vanity of vani- 
ties, and all things are vanity. . . . Fear God, and 
keep His commandments, for this is all man." * 

These thoughts should not make us sad, because 
to the true Christian the thought of death is not a 
bitter one. Jesus has made it easy for us to die by 
His own death on the cross. The Christian soul 
looks forward to the loosening of earthly bonds and 
the union with Jesus in Heaven. Saint Francis 
called death his sister. Saint Ambrose wrote a book 
on the blessings of death, and he ended it with this 
cry: "Let us hasten to life!" 

During our term of exile, Jesus often approaches 
us. We are permitted to do more than to touch the 
hem of His garment, more than to press Him by the 
hand, for in Holy Communion we possess Him en- 
tirely. And we have that most consoling of all His 
promises: "He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh 
My blood, hath everlasting life : and I will raise him 
up in the last day." * 

x Ecclesiastes xii. 
2 John vi, 55. 



TWENTY-FOURTH SUNDAY AFTER PEN- 
TECOST 

THE GENERAL JUDGMENT 

"At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, When you 
shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of 
by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place; (he that 
readeth, let him understand) : then they that are in Judea, 
let them flee to the mountains ; and he that is on the house- 
top, let him not come down to take anything out of his 
house; and he that is in the field, let him not go back to 
take his coat. And woe to them that are with child, and 
that give suck, in those days. But pray that your flight be 
not in the winter, or on the Sabbath (because the law for- 
bade traveling on the Sabbath) : for there shall be then great 
tribulation, such as has not been found from the beginning 
of the world until now, neither shall be: and unless those 
days had been shortened, no flesh should be saved; but for 
the sake of the elect, those days shall be shortened. Then 
if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; 
do not believe him. For there shall arrive false Christs and 
false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, inso- 
much as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. Behold, I 
have told it to you beforehand: if they therefore shall say 
to you, Behold, He is in the desert, go ye not out; behold, 
He is in the closets, believe it not. For as lightning cometh 
out of the east, and appeareth even into the west, so shall 
also the coming of the Son of man be. Wheresoever the 
body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. 
And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the 

208 



THE WORD OF GOD 209 

sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, 
and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of 
heaven shall be moved; and then shall appear the sign of 
the Son of man in heaven, and then shall all the tribes of the 
earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in 
the clouds of heaven with much power and majesty: and He 
shall send His angels with a trumpet and a great voice and 
they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, 
from the farthest parts of the heavens to the utmost bounds 
of them. And from the fig-tree learn a parable: when the 
branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves comes forth, 
you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall 
see all these things, know ye that it is nigh even at the doors. 
Amen I say to you, that this generation shall not pass till 
all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, 
but My words shall not pass away/' Matthew xxiv, 15-35. 

JESUS refers to the fall of Jerusalem and to the 
destruction of the temple. He is speaking to 
the people who are about to commit the greatest 
sin possible, the sin of deicide, the murder of God. 
In punishment of this crime, the Jewish people are to 
be the victims of the most atrocious tragedy which 
the annals of antiquity record. One million, one hun- 
dred thousand of them are to be slaughtered, struck 
down by fire or famine, or by the weapons of the 
merciless legions of Rome. "No other city," exclaims 
Josephus Flavius, the historian of the epoch, "no 
other city ever suffered such tribulation." And yet 
the destruction of Jerusalem with all its horror 
appears to the Saviour as but a pale picture com- 
pared with the destruction which will take place at 
the end of the world. In order that every Christian 
may meditate on the end of human destiny, on the 



210 THE. WORD OF GOD 

terrible judgment by God, the Church enjoins the 
consideration of this Gospel on the last Sunday of 
the ecclesiastical year. 

With the rapidity of lightning, in the heights of 
infinite space will gleam the Cross resplendent, and 
in the midst of a host of angels Christ in all His 
majesty will appear triumphant. The immense mul- 
titude of the dead will rise from their graves. O 
awful day of wrath and condemnation ! 

In an instant, thou shalt be judged. Thy con- 
science, sinful man, thy implacable, unforgetting con- 
science, will tell thy story to God. There will be no 
need of witnesses. "I am the Judge and the Wit- 
ness,' saith the Lord." * 

Then the whole phalanx of the enemies of God 
will beat their breasts, and will break out in that 
heartrending cry of which the Scripture speaks: 
11 'We have erred.' " 2 "And they shall say to the 
mountains, 'Cover us,' and to the hills, 'Fall upon 
us,' " 3 because they cannot endure the gaze of their 
Victim Who has now become their Judge. Their 
cries will, however, be unavailing, for on that dread 
day all reasons for mercy will have become motives 
for justice. 

The infinite goodness of God, the tenderness of 
His inspirations, the gentle insistence of His calls, 
will be but additional reasons which aggravate, O 
sinner, the weight and the punishment of thy 
offences. Chirst died to save thee, but thou hast 
damned thyself. The death of Christ will be thy 
condemnation. "The very nails," exclaims Saint 

^Jeremias xxix, 23. 
2 Wisdom v, 6. 
*Osee x, 8. 



THE WORD OF GOD 211 

John Chrysostom, "will then speak. The wounds of 
Christ will accuse thee, the cross of Christ will rise 
against thee." 

He Who will come to judge thee is the King of 
Kings. At the moment Christ was condemned to 
death, standing with sublime majesty before the 
great ones of His nation, He told them that here- 
after they would "see the Son of man sitting on the 
right hand of the power of God and coming in the 
clouds of Heaven." * This solemn warning echoes 
down through all the centuries and is irrevocable in 
eternity. 

At the present time, no one is more despised than 
Jesus. He is outraged constantly and apparently 
with impunity. Nothing is more awful than such a 
blindness. Meditate, Christian soul, on the ap- 
proaching judgment of God. The years are passing 
quickly, and the time of thy earthly probation is 
nearing the end. Think of thy soul. 

x Matthew xxvii, 64. 



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